Inside The Cardinals

MLB Writer Suggests Cardinals To Use Breakout Star As Trade Chip

Could the Cardinals explore the idea of trading high leverage reliever Phil Maton this season?
Zach Pressnell|
Sep 5, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of the hat and glove of St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Nolan Gorman (not pictured) before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Sep 5, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of the hat and glove of St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Nolan Gorman (not pictured) before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

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St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals are in a tough spot ahead of the trade deadline this season. They're likely trying to rebuild and build their roster for the future, which indicates they will sell at the deadline. But they're also winning a lot of games and contending, which indicates they'll buy.

St. Louis will likely do a bit of both this season. It wouldn't be shocking to see them trade away some of their expiring contracts while looking to acquire young, controllable talent.

FanSided's Curt Bishop recently suggested the Cardinals could use their lone free agent signing of the offseason, Phil Maton, as a trade chip this trade deadline season.

"Phil Maton was St. Louis lone free agent signing last winter. In mid-March, they signed him to a one-year, $2 million contract. Similarly to Helsley, Fedde, and Matz, he's in the final year of an affordable contract," Bishop wrote. "But while Helsley's value might be taking a hit, Maton's is rising. He owns a 2.16 ERA across 27 appearances in 2025 for the Cardinals. Relievers will be in high demand this deadline with so few available.

"The market appears to be favoring selling teams, so if Helsley's value tanks, the Cardinals could still bring back a good package of prospects for Maton."

Trading Maton makes perfect sense unless the Cardinals front office wants to be ultra-aggressive in the pursuit of winning this season. That seems unlikely, so it feels like a Maton trade is imminent.

The righty doesn't have much of a future in St. Louis beyond this season. When he re-enters free agency at the end of this season, his market will likely be a bit hotter than it was last offseason.

With that in mind, the Cardinals should take advantage of his value as a high leverage reliever on the trade market.

More MLB: Ex-Cardinals Top Draft Pick Listed 'Best Trade Chip'

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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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