Close Article Return to stream X
MLB •

5 St. Louis Cardinals Who Should Be On the Trading Block Right Now

+Read full article
Getty Images

As usual, the St. Louis Cardinals are gearing up for a pennant race which means they’re going to be buyers at the deadline. That doesn’t mean they’re going to do anything crazy, but they might try to pull off some big moves. If they do, here are five players they could use to reel in that big fish that could put them over the top in the National League.

5. LHP Tim Cooney

LHP Tim Cooney Getty Images
Cooney is one of the bright up and comers in the Cardinals' farm system, and he figures to be an effective big league arm. With St. Louis having a surplus of young pitching, they'd be wise to float his name around and see if any teams with bigger pieces are interested in including Cooney in a deal.

Cooney is one of the bright up and comers in the Cardinals' farm system, and he figures to be an effective big league arm. With St. Louis having a surplus of young pitching, they'd be wise to float his name around and see if any teams with bigger pieces are interested in including Cooney in a deal.

4. RHP Carlos Villanueva

RHP Carlos Villanueva Getty Images
Villanueva has traditionally been a long reliever and spot starter in his career, but he's been excellent out of the bullpen so far for the Cardinals. If the team doesn't think he can keep up this pace, they could deal him at his highest value and see what they could get.

Villanueva has traditionally been a long reliever and spot starter in his career, but he's been excellent out of the bullpen so far for the Cardinals. If the team doesn't think he can keep up this pace, they could deal him at his highest value and see what they could get.

3. 1B Xavier Scruggs

1B Xavier Scruggs Getty Images
Scruggs is a logical replacement for Matt Adams, who is on the 60-day DL, at first base. However, if the team wants someone proven to replace Adams, whatever team they're trading with might require Scruggs in return. If that's the case, the Red Birds should seriously consider it.

Scruggs is a logical replacement for Matt Adams, who is on the 60-day DL, at first base. However, if the team wants someone proven to replace Adams, whatever team they're trading with might require Scruggs in return. If that's the case, the Red Birds should seriously consider it.

2. OF Randal Grichuk

OF Randal Grichuk Getty Images
Grichuk is one of the most underrated young players in the Cardinals' organization, as he has tremendous power for his size and plays really well defensively in the outfield. He hasn't gotten much of an opportunity to play consistently with several players in front of him, but he could be a very good player if given regular playing time. If a team trading a superstar wants Grichuk in a deal, the Cardinals should consider it, especially since they have a logjam in the outfield.

Grichuk is one of the most underrated young players in the Cardinals' organization, as he has tremendous power for his size and plays really well defensively in the outfield. He hasn't gotten much of an opportunity to play consistently with several players in front of him, but he could be a very good player if given regular playing time. If a team trading a superstar wants Grichuk in a deal, the Cardinals should consider it, especially since they have a logjam in the outfield.

1. LHP Marco Gonzales

LHP Marco Gonzales Getty Images
Any team looking to trade an ace or slugger to the Red Birds will likely be interested in lefty Marco Gonzales. He has a devastating changeup and has already proven he can be successful in the majors as he pitched well in the playoffs last season. Should the Cardinals pursue a top trade target, Gonzales might be the only piece that could help get a deal done.

Any team looking to trade an ace or slugger to the Red Birds will likely be interested in lefty Marco Gonzales. He has a devastating changeup and has already proven he can be successful in the majors as he pitched well in the playoffs last season. Should the Cardinals pursue a top trade target, Gonzales might be the only piece that could help get a deal done.

Your Favorites