Trade For Young Yankees Star Could Be Perfect Big Move To Put Cardinals Over Top

Should the Cardinals make a big splash?

The St. Louis Cardinals haven't gotten off to a hot start in 2023 but should be able to compete late in the season nonetheless. 

St. Louis is 7-10 through 10 games but returned much of the same roster from last year that won 93 games so it wouldn't be very surprising if the club is able to get back on track. To go along with returning much of the same roster, the Cardinals also added young phenom Jordan Walker as well as All-Star catcher Willson Contreras. 

If the Cardinals wanted to make a big splash, one move that is a pipe dream but could be a complete game-changer if the Cardinals could do it would be acquiring New York Yankees star second baseman, Gleyber Torres. 

The 26-year-old is a two-time All-Star and at points has shown that he can be one of the best offensive second basemen in all of baseball. Torres clubbed an eye-popping 38 home runs in 2019 and after struggling in 2020 and 2021 got back on track in 2022 with 24 long balls and 76 RBIs. The young second baseman has picked up from where he left off last season and has smashed two home runs to go along with six RBIs and five stolen bases in 16 games. Torres has gotten on base at an impressive clip and is slashing .286/.435/.490 so far this season. 

St. Louis currently has Brendan Donovan and Tommy Edman as the club's starting second baseman and shortstop. Although both have been solid to begin the 2023 campaign, Torres would be an upgrade. If the club opted to deal either Donovan or Edman along with prospects for Torres, the player not traded could move over to shortstop and open up second base for the Yankee. 

The 26-year-old has been in trade rumors since the end of the 2022 campaign as the Yankees have multiple young prospects nearing their MLB debut. New York could have a middle infield log jam coming their way so Torres may be on the way out as he certainly will be the most expensive middle infielder on the club. There's no way for sure to know if he will be dealt and if he is it likely wouldn't be until closer to the trade deadline, but St. Louis should keep its eyes out for Torres. 

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