Inside The Cardinals

MLB Writer Links Cardinals To Superstar Division Rival

The Cardinals could use another star...
Zach Pressnell|
Jun 24, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Jun 24, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

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The St. Louis Cardinals are one of the more interesting teams in the league this season. They're on the verge of contending but they seem like they're headed for a short rebuild.

A team in this position could pursue trades for players on contracts with multiple years of team control. There are a few options out there that fit this mold for the Cardinals to explore, too.

Redbird Rants' Thomas Gauvain recently suggested the Cardinals could look to swing a huge trade for division rival pitcher Freddy Peralta of the Milwaukee Brewers.

"Kiley McDaniel of ESPN listed the Cardinals as a trade partner for Freddy Peralta of the Milwaukee Brewers," Gauvain wrote. "Since 2021, Peralta ranks 21st in pitcher fWAR. He's averaged just under 11 strikeouts per nine innings in that span, and he's continued his success this year with a 2.90 ERA and a 138 ERA+ through 17 starts and 93 innings. Peralta has an affordable $8 million team option for 2026. The Cardinals could look to extend either Alcantara, who has a team option for the 2027 season, or Peralta, should they acquire either in a trade."

If Peralta wasn't a division rival of the Cardinals, this could make sense. But with Peralta actively competing against the Cardinals for a National League Central title and potential postseason berth, it doesn't make much sense unless St. Louis is willing to cut ties with multiple top prospects including a name like Quinn Mathews or Tink Hence. With that unlikely, this trade idea remains unlikely, too.

More MLB: Yankees-Ryan Helsley Trade Rumors Reach New Peak

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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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