The Cardinals have stumbled back after climbing out of last place in May. The Pirates swept them this weekend. The team desperately needs change.
With a record of 25-35, the Cardinals look terrible. The team had made strides in May to get out of last place, but a sweep at the hands of the Pirates this weekend makes things feel desperate and dire for the Cards to make a significant change. And, now!
This summer has found Oli Marmol throwing players under the bus. Tyler O'Neill was the first victim due to a perceived lack of hustle. O'Neill is now on the injured list with a back injury. The team had O'Neill change his workout routine to avoid damage, and he was trying to do that when he was accused of not hustling. It's not sure when O'Neill will be able to return.
After some pitchers complained, Marmol shifted their new catcher, Willson Contreras, to the designated hitter position. Marmol said this demotion could be for a significant time, Contreras worked with the pitchers on what they needed from him, and he returned to the catching position after a week. The Cards signed Contreras to a five-year $87.5 million to be their catcher, and no other catcher is Yadier Molina. The team knew this when signing him and should have adapted sooner.
In both situations, the art of communicating one on one between manager and player could have made the situation better. Instead, Marmol made the issues public, creating problems and speculations. Both cases were utterly unnecessary. It makes you wonder if the team is walking on eggshells and isn't comfortable.
While it seems highly unlikely that the team would make a change mid-season with the coaches and managers, trade deadline moves for players will be necessary if the Cardinals want to compete this season and in future seasons.
Let's look at deals the Cardinals should seek out and some they should avoid.
Cardinals Deal to Make: Starting Pitching
For several seasons now, the Cardinals have needed to acquire top-tier pitching. This season, they must get top-level pitching if they hope to contend now and in the future.
The Cardinals have several top pitching prospects developing in their minor league system. For now, the Cards are depending on starting pitching Adam Wainwright, who is in his final season as a major leaguer; Miles Mikolas, who is signed through the 2025 season; Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty, who are each free agents after this season; and pitching prospect Matthew Liberatore.
Steven Matz was shifted to the bullpen and is also with the club through 2025.
Gordon Graceffo, Mike McGreevy, and Cooper Hjerpe are just some pitching prospects waiting in the wings. Jake Woodford, Andre Pallante, Zack Thompson, and Connor Thomas have had some experience in starting.
This is nice and all for the future. But it won't help now, as the Cardinals are in last place in the NL Central.
The team need serious, top-tier starting pitching, the sooner, the better.
Cardinals Deal to Avoid: Trading Jordan Walker
Jordan Walker is the Cardinals' top prospect. He started his major league career with a 12-game hitting streak. The Cardinals then sent Walker to AAA Memphis after a 7-for-35 stretch, striking out 20 times.
The Cards wanted to give their glut of outfielders an opportunity while allowing Walker the time to work on things to improve at the plate.
St. Louis brought him back this weekend. And while he didn't perform well, he can shake it off and bounce back. He is the most exciting prospect the Cardinals have had in some time. He is a young star that you can build around. And the Cardinals should.
John Mozeliak should not even think about moving Walker. The team has other chips to trade for their needs.
The Cardinals must keep Walker for their now and their future.
Cardinals Deal to Make: A veteran outfielder who can hit
On Sunday, The Cardinals outfield comprised Jordan Walker, Tommy Edman, and Juan Yepez. The team has also had their Gold Glove utility player, Brendan Donovan, playing in the outfield along with Alec Burleson and Oscar Mercado.
These are all young players with minimal experience playing outfield.
These guys are playing because their usual starters are all on the injured list. Tyler O'Neill has lower back pain issues, and it's unclear when he will return. Dylan Carlson sprained his ankle, and he's slowly making his coming back. Lars Nootbaar had a lower back contusion that took him out of a game. He was just recently placed on the injured list.
The Cardinals need a veteran outfielder with some power. They should find a player who also has some leadership skills to help with the younger players in the outfield. He could help with the lineup, the outfield and the clubhouse.
Cardinals Deal to Avoid: Mediocrity for Mediocrity
As mentioned, the Cardinals have needed top-tier starting pitching for at least three seasons now. The Cards have wafered and floundered. They settled for mediocrity instead of actual help.
Back in 2021, the Cards thought it was a good idea to acquire Jon Lester and J.A. Happ. Remember that?
They needed a top-tier pitcher and traded to get Lester and Happ, instead. It was as if they made a move and hoped for the best. And while this has worked previously for the Cardinals, it didn't work in this instances. And it's not going to work in the future to just settle for mediocrity.
St. Louis currently steeped in mediocrity. The fan base has their pitchers they love and that's great. But the fan base all knows more is needed.
It's time for the Cardinals front office to break free from the trend of mediocrity and get that veteran outfielder and a top-tier pitcher.
Cardinals Deal to Make: Relief Pitching
Relief pitching has been a problem throughout Major League Baseball. The Cardinals are no exception with the bad luck they have experienced in the relief pitching department. These are pitchers who have crafted their expertise to go an inning or two, while throwing the ball as hard as they can and hope for effectiveness. It's amazing when a pitcher can achieve that perfect balance of efficiently throwing their pitch as hard as they can and get an out without hurting anyone.
Jordan Hicks will be a free agent after this season. It would be great to see the Cardinals get something for Hicks. Drew VerHagen becomes a free agent after this season as well. It's not likely the Cardinals could get anything of substance for VerHagen, but getting something for VerHagen before he hits free agency.
Chris Stratton also becomes a free agent after this season. It would be nice if the Cards could keep him as he's done well since he was traded to the Cardinals at the 2022 trade deadline. Ryan Helsley, Giovanny Gallegos and Genesis Cabrera are the team's top relievers but, considering their many struggles, it would be great to see this group have a veteran reliever join them for guidance.
Getting a veteran reliever for this bullpen would be profoundly helfpul. After disasterous experiences over the past three seasons, having a powerful, dependable reliever who can close would be amazing. If the Cards can make this happen, they should.
