Cardinals Reportedly Interested In Landing Star Pitcher In Possible Blockbuster Trade
Could the St. Louis Cardinals have another major move up their sleeve?
The Cardinals entered the offseason hoping to add at least three starting pitchers. St. Louis already has done that by signing Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson. Although this is the case, the Cardinals still have some work to do.
At this point, it would be surprising to see the Cardinals make another major move in free agency but that doesn't mean they won't make any moves. The trade market is expected to be active and St. Louis has multiple trade pieces. Although the Cardinals already have added three starters, they still reportedly are interested in acquiring Chicago White Sox star Dylan Cease in a blockbuster trade, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.
"New White Sox general manager Chris Getz is telling clubs he likely will wait to move on right-hander Dylan Cease until after the top free-agent starting pitchers sign, according to major league sources briefed on the discussions," Rosenthal said. "Getz could act sooner if he gets an offer to his liking, perhaps from a team such as the (Baltimore Orioles) or (Cincinnati Reds), who are expected to refrain from the top of the free-agent market.
"But the advantage of waiting is obvious: The urgency of certain teams only will increase if they miss out on (Yoshinobu Yamamoto), Blake Snell, and Co. Some clubs face such an acute shortage, that they might be in on Cease even if they sign a top free agent. The (Los Angeles Dodgers) for example, need multiple starters. The Cardinals, sources say, remain interested in Cease even after signing Sonny Gray, Kyle Gibson, and Lance Lynn.
Cease would be a major pickup for St. Louis. Gray, Gibson, and Lynn all are positive additions. But, it wouldn't hurt to add another front-of-the-rotation arm. It especially wouldn't hurt to add a pitcher on the younger side. Cease is just 27 years old and has the making to be one of the best pitchers in baseball if he can bounce back in 2024. If the Cardinals can get a deal done they certainly should.
More MLB: Cardinals Trio Reportedly Receiving Trade Interest As Club Looks To Make More Moves
