Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals Urged To Trade Breakout Star Pitcher

The Cardinals have a few tough decisions to make at the 2025 MLB trade deadline.
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

In this story:

St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals seemed primed to rebuild this season which would have seen them trading away a lot of their expiring assets while holding onto their controllable players.

But St. Louis has won a lot more than anybody expected, which puts them in a bit of a tough spot at the trade deadline. Should they still sell? Or should they try to contend?

Curt Bishop of Redbird Rants recently made the case that the Cardinals should entertain the idea of trading breakout reliever Phil Maton this season.

"This really depends on if they stay in the race. If the Cardinals do stay in contention, then they'll likely want to hold onto one of the top closers in the game," Bishop wrote. "Trading Maton would make more sense.

"They can still get a decent haul of prospects for him. Not to the degree that they would if Helsley were to be traded, but it could still be solid. Better yet, Maton could be used to help the Cardinals upgrade other areas of their roster, such as the starting rotation. They could potentially find another contender that needs a bullpen arm and make a need-for-need trade."

Trading Maton is a tough decision to make. If the Cardinals are serious about contending this season, he's a name they need to keep on the roster, especially with how well he's pitching. But the Cardinals don't seem like serious World Series contenders.

Unless St. Louis can add some serious talent at the trade deadline, they won't be as serious of World Series contenders as it seems. In all likelihood, the teams that are better than the Cardinals right now will make major additions. If the Cardinals don't do that as well, they'll be left behind.

Trading Maton makes sense. It might not be what the St. Louis faithful wants to hear, but it's probably the best decision for the franchise.

More MLB: Phillies Predicted To Swing Huge Trade For Ex-Cardinals Slugger

Published
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

Home/St. Louis Cardinals News