Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals Might Have New Top Trade Chip Before July 31st Deadline

St. Louis could make several significant moves this summer
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 have plenty of time to improve their mediocre 14-17 record before the July 31st trade deadline but it's not too early to speculate whose contracts will be shopped.

It's no secret that the Cardinals' front office worked tirelessly but failed to find a suitable trade destination for superstar third baseman Nolan Arenado over the offseason. The fan favorite could be moved depending on how competitive St. Louis is this summer.

However, another Cardinals veteran quietly having a dominant 2025 campaign could be shopped as the franchise's top trade chip, as long as he continues to silence hitters from the mound.

Cardinals left-handed pitcher Steven Matz has logged an elite 2-0 record with a 1.50 ERA, 20-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .222 batting average against and a 0.96 WHIP in 24 innings pitched across nine appearances for St. Louis this year.

The 33-year-old's contract will expire after this season ends. However, unlike ace Sonny Gray and two-time All-Star Miles Mikolas, Matz doesn't have a full no-trade clause, making it far easier for the Cardinals to move him before the July 31st deadline.

Considering that St. Louis is in a transitional period and searching for ways to open spots in the pitching staff for incoming top prospects, such as southpaw Quinn Matthews and 2021 Cardinals first-round draft pick Michael McGreevy, Matz's predicament makes him a viable top trade chip.

Matz has succeeded out of the bullpen and rotation this season, making him a highly valuable and versatile rental option for genuine contenders looking to upgrade their pitching staff this summer in preparation for the playoffs.

Other than Matz and Arenado, the Cardinals could also land a decent return in exchange for right-handed pitcher Erick Fedde and 2024 Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year recipient Ryan Helsley, who likely should've been shopped over the offseason.

More MLB: Cardinals Urged To Pursue Immediate Blockbuster Trade, Per Top Sportscaster

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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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