The St. Louis Cardinals are preparing to be active in the upcoming trade deadline as they face an uphill battle for a playoff spot. Currently sitting at 55-54, the team is 4.5 games behind in the National League Wild Card race and 10 games out in the NL Central. With their postseason aspirations dwindling, the Cardinals are expected to capitalize on their top relievers to gather promising prospects for the future.
Key players likely to be traded include Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton, and Steven Matz, all of whom are relievers with expiring contracts. Joel Reuter from Bleacher Report has suggested a potential trade where the Cardinals would send Helsley and Maton to the Texas Rangers in exchange for promising prospects Kohl Drake, Dylan Dreiling, and Maicol Reyes. This move could be beneficial, especially since the Rangers are looking to bolster their bullpen despite currently having one of the strongest relief units in baseball.
Helsley, who saved an impressive 49 games last year, has had a solid, albeit less dominant, performance this season, maintaining a 3.00 ERA with an impressive strikeout rate. Maton, who has emerged as a key contributor to the Cardinals since signing a one-year, $2 million deal last offseason, is enjoying a career year with a 2.35 ERA, making him a valuable asset in the trade market.
By packaging both Helsley and Maton, the Cardinals may maximize their return, especially given the Rangers’ solid farm system, which could help mend the struggling St. Louis minor league system. As the trade deadline approaches, fans will be eager to see if this potential deal becomes a reality.
This situation highlights the necessity for teams to adapt and make strategic moves. While the Cardinals may be heading toward a rebuilding phase, trades like this can provide hope for a brighter future through the acquisition of young talent.