Should Cardinals Firesale? MLB Insider Hints Blockbuster For Stars Could Be Best Move
If the St. Louis Cardinals want to get back on track, drastic measures may need to be taken.
With the Cardinals currently sitting in last place in the National League Central at 32-45, many have wondered what the club will do ahead of the trade deadline. Initially, it seemed likely that St. Louis would be buyers at the deadline, but with their struggles continuing, the club must now seriously consider being sellers and turning its focus toward the 2024 season and beyond.
St. Louis has plenty of star power in its lineup, but the club's starting pitching has needed an upgrade since before the 2023 season began. The Cardinals have some exciting prospects knocking on the door of making their big league debuts so although the season hasn't gone as expected, the club does have a bright future. If the Cardinals want to improve in the long term, one move they could consider is trading both Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.
"Remove Goldschmidt from the equation, and Arenado might be willing to waive his no-trade clause, just as he did in Colorado when the Rockies did not build around him," Rosenthal said. "Arenado, after finishing third in the NL MVP voting has regressed both offensively and defensively. Perhaps the losing is getting to him. He's more emotional than Goldschmidt. But he's still only 32, still a well-above-average player. His remaining guarantee after this season, $109 million over four years, is perfectly reasonable for a player of his caliber. Trading him would not be a salary dump. Arenado would bring a quality return.
"The Cardinals would need not acquire only prospects. They could target major leaguers as well, with the idea of retooling quickly. They followed such a path, albeit in a more limited fashion, at the 2018 deadline, trading Tommy Pham and Luke Voit, obtaining Giovanny Gallegos and Genesis Cabrera, and ending a three-year playoff drought the following season."
Goldschmidt and Arenado are without a doubt St. Louis' top two players. The slugging first baseman was the 2022 National League Most Valuable Player and unsurprisingly has been solid for St. Louis this season slashing .286/.376/.486 to go along with 13 home runs and 40 RBIs across 75 games played. Arenado hasn't had his typical season so far but still is one of the best third basemen in baseball.
If the Cardinals see the 2023 season as a lost campaign, moving either or both Goldschmidt and Arenado could bring in a massive haul for the club. St. Louis has a surplus of big league infielders already, not to mention what they could bring in through trade. Although this is the case, trading either of the two superstars would make the worse in the short term.
St. Louis has made it seem as if it wouldn't make a move of this caliber, but unless it starts racking up some wins, all things should be considered.
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