Young Cardinals Slugger Surprisingly Hasn't Been Given Time; Could Trade Be Coming?

Should the Cardinals consider trading one of its young sluggers?

The St. Louis Cardinals already are starting to prepare for the 2024 campaign. 

St. Louis has had one of its most underwhelming seasons in recent memory and was one of the biggest sellers ahead of the 2023 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline. Many expected the Cardinals to be in the postseason this year, but that isn't the case. The Cardinals already began to turn their focus to the 2024 season around the trade deadline but now are taking it another step forward.

The club has recently dealt with a handful of injuries to some of its starters, so the Cardinals have started calling up some intriguing prospects from the minor leagues. Some of these young players will have an opportunity to fight for a role with the 2024 club, but one player who hasn't gotten an opportunity is slugger Moisés Gómez and that could be a sign that he won't have a role with the club moving forward, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold.

"Factors that played into Gómez remaining in the minors included the Cardinals’ stretch in which they prioritized defense in the outfield and their recent commitment to playing time for players who will be competing for roles or preparing to start in 2024," Goold said. 

“Is Gómez going to come and play over (Lars) Nootbaar, (Jordan Walker)? No,” (Oli Marmol) explained when asked about the slugger’s absence from the majors. “Is he going to play over (Richie) Palacios against righties? Probably not. Is he going to DH over (Luken Baker)? You have to find out about some of these guys out there every day, so I’m not sure the at-bats would have truly been there.”

Gómez has been impressive in the minor leagues for the Cardinals but it doesn't sound like he'll have much of a role with the club moving forward. The 25-year-old has clubbed 30 or more home runs while driving in at least 79 runs over the last two seasons. At this point, it wouldn't be too surprising to see him dealt away this upcoming offseason. If he's not going to get playing time with the Cardinals' big league club, it makes perfect sense to deal him while his trade value is higher.

The Cardinals will be looking to add pitching this offseason. Maybe adding Gómez to a deal could make sense.

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