Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals $18.5 Million Veteran Shockingly Linked To Trade Buzz

Will the Cardinals begin a complete fire sale of their roster at some point this season?
Zach Pressnell|
Jun 10, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Miles Mikolas (39) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Jun 10, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Miles Mikolas (39) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

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St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals got off to a solid start, but they've since regressed to the mean. This regression is putting them in the prime spot to sell at the upcoming trade deadline.

While the Cardinals have pieces like Erick Fedde and Ryan Helsley who make plenty of sense as trade chips, there are some surprising names on the roster who could end up intertwined in trade buzz this season.

Nate Duffett of Sporting News recently suggested the Cardinals could entertain the idea of trading veteran pitcher Miles Mikolas at some point this season. Duffett went as far as to call the righty "one of the most sought-after deadline acquisitions" this season.

"If the Cardinals continue to fall out of the playoff race, Mikolas could become one of the most sought-after deadline acquisitions," Duffett wrote. "Mikolas is the type of pitcher who can bring significant value to a contending team. Considering his regression, it might not be possible for him to steal a rotation spot for a playoff team.

"However, if that team could use him as a starter through the end of the regular season and then add him as bullpen insurance in the postseason, it'd be a worthwhile venture. The Cardinals shouldn't expect too much of a return for the veteran pitcher, but clearing his salary off the books would be the motivating factor."

Mikolas might get some attention at the trade deadline, but given his track record, there's a good chance that nobody wants him, especially for as much money as he's making.

The Cardinals could attach him to Helsley in a trade in an attempt to clear Mikolas' money off the books, but the veteran right hander certainly isn't going to be a very sought after pitcher on the market this season.

Still, the Cardinals would be smart to see if there are any teams in baseball willing to take a chance on him.

More MLB: Cardinals $260 Million All-Star Linked To Ongoing Trade Rumors

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Zach Pressnell
ZACH PRESSNELL

Zach Pressnell has experience covering all major US sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. He’s produced content for FanSided, Blog Red Machine, The Game Haus, Bethany College Athletics and the Bethany College online newspaper, He graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a degree in Communications and Media Arts, specializing in Sports Journalism. Pressnell was also a four-year member of the baseball team where he earned himself All-PAC recognition as a pitcher (and a cool Tommy John surgery scar). Now, Pressnell specializes in NFL and MLB coverage for Sports Illustrated’s “On SI” network among others. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding "St. Louis Cardinals On SI," please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org

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