The St. Louis Cardinals are on the borderline between being buyers and sellers. On one hand, they just took two out of three from the NL-West leading San Francisco Giants. On the other hand, they are still a game under .500 and eight games back of the second Wild Card team in the San Diego Padres. With their current standing, and the current roster, there isn’t much the Cards can do, but there are a few pieces they could sell.
Make sure to check out all of our other Trade Deadline Previews.
Current Position
Record: 46-47
Rank: Fourth in the NL Central, 9 games back
Status: Sellers
While the Cardinals should be getting their ace, Jack Flaherty, back by August, and Miles Mikolas could also be in the rotation soon, St. Louis may still be moving a few pieces. We don’t know how either pitcher will bounce back and although their other pitchers, including their bullpen, have looked alright, the staff as a whole is last in the NL in walks and strikeouts. The team also has a -42 run differential which shows how they have gotten a bit lucky this season. The Redbirds are in an unenviable situation as their playoff hopes are dwindling but their fanbase and roster reflect a win-now attitude.
Trade Candidates
Andrew Miller
After missing all of May, Miller has pitched well allowing just one earned run in 12.1 innings. While that comes with only 10 strikeouts and five walks, the veteran lefty has the playoff experience teams covet at this time of year. In his postseason career, Miller has a stellar 0.93 ERA. He isn’t the same pitcher he was earlier in his career, but he still knows how to get outs when it matters. A lefty reliever who has thrown nearly 40 playoff innings with a sub 1.00 ERA will get the Cardinals a couple of prospects.
John Gant
It isn’t like Gant has been lights out this season, but he is a valuable arm who can spot start when needed. He also has another year before free agency so a team trading for him will have him for next season. The 28-year-old has had solid career numbers as a reliever going 13-5 with a 3.48 ERA and has averaged over an inning per appearance. Contending teams need versatile pitchers down the stretch and Gant has shown he can be exactly that.
Matt Carpenter
At this point, the Cardinals won’t be getting much for Carpenter and he would have to waive his 10-5 rights to be traded. He may do just that though if he can be part of a playoff push. Although the left-handed infielder has had a rough time the past couple of years, he, like Miller, offer some veteran presence and playoff experience. Carpenter is a free agent at the end of the season anyway. St. Louis may as well listen to calls as there are likely a few teams who could use him for the last two months of the season and into October.
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