White Sox Ace Reportedly May Be Traded; Cardinals Could Make Big Move For All-Star
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The St. Louis Cardinals are starting to show some life.
St. Louis currently has the worst record in the National League at 13-24 but has won three straight games heading into its Wednesday night tilt against the Chicago Cubs. The Cardinals have been impressive offensively at times throughout the young season, but it has been difficult for the club to string multiple solid pitching performances together.
Three-time All-Star Adam Wainwright recently returned from the injured list and things have started to trend in the right direction, but that doesn't mean the club couldn't use another addition. There are sure to be plenty of top-end starters available through trade as we approach the trade deadline and one player to keep an eye out on is Chicago White Sox righty Lucas Giolito.
Giolito has spent his entire eight-year career with the White Sox, but there reportedly is a chance that he is dealt around the trade deadline according to The Athletic's Jim Bowden.
"If the White Sox don't turn around their season soon, they'll have no choice but to trade Lucas Giolito, an impending free agent, before the deadline," Bowden said. "Giolito, 28, is 54-49 in his career with a 4.30 ERA. He's provided at least 161 2/3 innings pitched in four of the last five years, with the only exception being the shortened season of 2020. This season, he's posted a 3.67 ERA and 3.88 FIP in seven starts but his strikeout rate is his lowest since 2018."
Giolito has been linked to the Cardinals already this season and a trade would make perfect sense. The Cardinals have the offensive firepower to get themselves back in the National League Central race, but need an upgrade in the rotation. Giolito is a one-time All-Star and has compiled a 3.59 ERA so far this season in eight starts. He has finished in the top 11 in Cy Young Award voting three times in his career so far and at just 28-years-old should have plenty of solid seasons ahead of him.
It's not a guarantee that Giolito gets dealt, but if the White Sox can't get back on track then it would make perfect sense. The righty will be a free agent at the end of the season so a trade package likely wouldn't be too large due to the fear of the hurler signing elsewhere this upcoming offseason. St. Louis has the farm system to get a deal done and the club should look into it sooner rather than later.
More MLB: Tigers' Ace Linked To Cardinals In Potential Blockbuster Trade
