Cardinals Reportedly Mulling Inter-Division Trade As Season Falls Apart
Would the St. Louis Cardinals consider a rare inter-division deal at the upcoming Major League Baseball trade deadline?
The Cardinals are 33-47, sitting firmly in last place of the National League Central and 11 1/2 games back in the Wild Card race. St. Louis is out of contention. It's time to look toward retooling for next year, which means selling expiring contracts and others who do not have a place on the 2024 roster.
It appears that St. Louis already is considering such moves, one of which could be completed with the division rival Milwaukee Brewers.
"Brewers manager Craig Counsell is doing his usual terrific job as they are contending with an offense last in the NL in runs (321) and OPS (.675). One name linked to them: Cardinals outfielder Tyler O’Neill, who’s on the injured list," the New York Post's Jon Heyman wrote Thursday.
O'Neill has been out of action with a back strain since May 29 but is ramping up activities and likely will be back prior to the Aug. 1 trade deadline.
The 28-year-old struggled out of the gate this season but hit. 228 with 26 extra-base hits including 14 home runs, 58 RBIs and a .700 OPS in 96 games last season.
O'Neill has two Gold Glove awards and is a productive player on the whole but does not make too much sense for the Brewers if they plan on acquiring offense at the deadline. While O'Neill has pop, he's not a middle-of-the-order bat.
If Milwaukee wants to continue to win with pitching and defense, that's a different story.
As for the Cardinals, their outfield is stocked with young talent and O'Neill is only under team control through 2024. It does not seem very likely that he would receive a second contract, so it makes sense to move him. The only downside: he's a buy-low player at the moment and could have more value over the winter.
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