Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals Could Trade Pair Of Veteran Hurlers As Market 'Continues To Dwindle'

Don't count St. Louis out of the trade market just yet
Nate Hagerty|
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 entered this offseason with lowering payroll as one of their top priorities but so far, they've only eliminated several names from the books.

Declining veteran right-handed pitchers Lance Lynn, Kyle Gibson and Keynan Middleton's club options for 2025 cleared up space. However, notable names such as Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras have invoked their no-trade clauses, making it more difficult for St. Louis to reset.

As the free-agent market progresses, the Cardinals may part ways with a pair of valuable hurlers to not only clear payroll room but free up space for youngsters to gain experience.

"The Cardinals are having a tough time finding a taker for Nolan Arenado on the trade market, while Willson Contreras has made it clear he wants to stay in St. Louis and Sonny Gray seems to be in that same camp," Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter wrote Thursday morning. "That has made starting a much-needed roster retooling easier said than done, though interest in guys like Erick Fedde and Ryan Helsley could pick up as the free-agent market continues to dwindle."

Fedde is signed through 2025 with St. Louis and will earn $7.5 million next season, which isn't a bad rate for the Cardinals, considering he's coming off the best season of his career.

Helsley is entering his final year of arbitration after winning National League Reliever of the Year this season. The Cardinals could be inclined to trade him for a solid haul of prospects while he's at peak market value.

Some believe Helsley won't be dealt this winter despite all the rumors saying otherwise. As for Fedde's future with St. Louis, it is a bit more foggy.

More MLB: Cardinals Trade $44 Million Hurler Before Ryan Helsley In Latest Insider Prediction

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Nate Hagerty
NATE HAGERTY

Nate Hagerty joined “Inside The Cardinals” as a content creator to spread knowledge about his favorite childhood team. A hometown native of Boston, Hagerty chose at an early age of six years old to follow the St. Louis Cardinals. The miraculous season of 04’ for the Red Sox did not deter Hagerty from rooting against his hometown team, nor did it in 2013 against the Red Birds. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu 

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