Cardinals Slugger Reportedly On Trade Block Signaling Potential Failed Experiment
The St. Louis Cardinals seem to be turning their focus to the 2024 campaign.
St. Louis entered the 2023 season with World Series aspirations and things haven't panned out. The Cardinals currently are in fourth place in the National League Central with an abysmal 44-55 record and likely will be sellers ahead of the August 1 trade deadline.
The Cardinals aren't entering a full rebuild and there are a few players that likely aren't going anywhere as they hope to contend next season. Although this is the case, St. Louis will be offloading veterans ahead of the deadline to recoup prospects. A few players that have been rumored to be on the move are outfielders Dylan Carlson and Tyler O'Neill, as well as pitchers Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery. One player who reportedly has been added to the trade block and could be a surprise trade is catcher Willson Contreras, according to USA Today Sports' Bob Nightengale.
"The Cardinals have the greatest array of talent available with outfielders Carlson and O’Neill, infielders Tommy Edman and Paul DeJong, and catcher Willson Contreras on the block too," Nightengale said.
Contreras has had a roller coaster of a season, to say the least. The three-time All-Star signed with the Cardinals this past offseason as a free agent and things haven't gone as planned. He was removed as the club's starting catcher at one point only to be returned to the spot shortly after. Offensively he has been as expected slashing .244/.339/.428 to go along with 11 home runs and 40 RBIs and his advanced metrics are even more impressive.
While a trade may be unlikely, seemingly everything else that has happened with Contreras this season also has been surprising so there's no way for sure to know what will happen. All in all, keep an eye on the Cardinals.
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