Cardinals Rumors: Two Starting Pitchers Could Be Traded If Struggles Continue

The St. Louis Cardinals were considered to be favorites in the National League Central by just about every major sportsbook to open the season.

While their odds are still surprisingly high to claim the division crown, the Cardinals' 13-25 start has thrown the organization for a loop. On one hand, the team has the worst record in the National League. However, they still are just 6 1/2 games back of a Wild Card spot and have 124 games to get back on track.

If St. Louis does not figure it out, they'll have to sell at the deadline -- at least to some degree. With the long-term outlook of the organization still favorable and the current slide so unexpected, they'll certainly avoid a complete firesale. The impending free agents will have to be in play though.

Fox Sports' Jake Mintz gave some insight into which players on expiring contracts would be considered in trade talks for the Cardinals.

"For St. Louis, that’s Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery," Mintz wrote. "Flaherty has struggled in seven starts this year but was such a force pre-injuries that a team could be enticed. Montgomery, who was acquired last year at the deadline for Harrison Bader, has been outstanding as a Cardinal."

Montgomery would be a high-level trade asset should the Cardinals put him on the trade block. In most situations, it would be a no-brainer to deal the big southpaw.

However, Montgomery has posted a 3.53 ERA with a 102-to-25 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 1.18 WHIP in 109 2/3 innings across 19 starts since joining the Cardinals. It would make a lot of sense to extend him as a significant part of the rotation moving forward.

As for Flaherty, it would make sense if he ended up on a fringe or even non-contender that wants to attempt to get the once-promising frontline starter back on track. He certainly would be a trade candidate should the slump continue.

It would not be shocking if the Cardinals went on a small run and ended up buying at the deadline but it's time to start preparing for the worst.

More MLB: Tigers' Ace Linked To Cardinals In Potential Blockbuster Trade

Published May 11, 2023

SCOTT NEVILLE

Scott Neville covers the St. Louis Cardinals for FanNation's "Inside The Cardinals" on Sports Illustrated. Before starting "Inside The Cardinals", Neville attended Merrimack College, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media with a minor in Marketing. Neville spent all four years with Merrimack's radio station WMCK, where he grew as a radio/podcast host and producer. His propensity for being in front of a microphone eventually expanded to film, where he produced multiple short films alongside his then-roommate and current co-worker Stephen Mottram. On a journey that began as a way to receive easy credits via film classes, he received a call from "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" star Charlie Day. Day advised him to make a feature-length film, which he completed his senior year. While writing the film, Neville completed an internship for United Way as part of their NFL Partnership Program. Neville ran the blog for a team of interns and hosted an internet show called "United Way's NFL Partnership Series" where he interviewed NFL alumni. After college Neville wrote for SB Nation's "Over The Monster," a Red Sox sister site of the flagship brand. His work would eventually lead him to a job as a content producer with NESN, where he would cover all sports. After developing as a writer with the top regional network in the world, he was given the opportunity to join FanNation and the Sports Illustrated Media Group as the publisher of "Inside The Red Sox." After a few months as the top Major League Baseball site in the program, Neville sought expansion and pitched "Inside The Cardinals," one of the newest additions to FanNation and the Sports Illustrated Media Group. The successful launch and quick rise of "Inside The Cardinals" led to Neville joining the Baseball Essential ownership group, a national baseball site under SIMG. Follow him on Twitter: @ScottNeville46 Email: nevilles@merrimack.edu

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