Cardinals Deal Notable Pitcher Minutes Before Trade Deadline

The St. Louis Cardinals made a notable trade with the Baltimore Orioles with just minutes before Tuesday's Major League Baseball Trade Deadline.

"The Baltimore Orioles are finalizing a deal for right-hander Jack Flaherty from the St. Louis Cardinals," ESPN's Jeff Passan tweeted. "Cardinals are receiving infielder Cesar Prieto and left-hander Drew Rom from the Orioles in the trade for Jack Flaherty, which is now done."

Flaherty has a 4.43 ERA with a 106-to-54 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .278 batting average against and 1.55 WHIP in 109 2/3 innings across 20 starts.

The 24-year-old was a homegrown rising star that came in fourth place for the National League Cy Young Award in 2019, even receiving MVP votes that year, finishing at No. 13.

Unfortunately, injuries and inconsistency prevented the 27-year-old from becoming the next Cardinals perennial All-Star pitcher. Instead, he's been dealt to the O's to retool the farm system.

Prieto is the Oriole's No. 16 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, Rom is No. 18. That is quite a haul for a rental pitcher.

Cardinals manager Oli Marmol alluded to attempting offseason reunions with players such as Flaherty, Jordan Montgomery and Jordan Hicks, which would make sense. Flaherty said he'd be open to returning as well. Time will tell if Flaherty has played his last game in a Cardinals uniform.

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