The St. Louis Cardinals are expected to be active sellers at the trade deadline this summer based on the latest MLB trade rumors. As the Cardinals begin evaluating which players to keep and trade, contract negotiations could play a significant role in the decision.
Entering MLB games today, St. Louis is well out of the playoff picture. It’s been a disappointing 2023 season for the Cardinals, with the club’s pitching proving to be the biggest issue. Past the midway point of a lost season, St. Louis is prepared to sell off some of its contributors.
- Jordan Hicks contract: $1.837 million salary in 2023, 2024 free agent
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Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt won’t be traded. The Cardinals have made it clear to interested MLB teams that neither of the All-Star infielders is available. However, St. Louis could be open to trading one of its top relievers if the circumstances are right.
According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, the Cardinals are attempting to sign reliever Jordan Hicks to a contract extension this month. If the two sides can’t agree to terms, it’s believed St. Louis will “almost certainly” trade Hicks by the deadline.
While Hicks has been inconsistent, he’s flashed better stuff in recent months. Across 19 innings since June 1, Hicks holds a 2.84 ERA with a 28.2 percent strikeout rate. He’s lowered his walk rate (8.2 percent), but opponents are hitting .273 off him during that stretch.
- Jordan Hicks stats (2023): 3.67 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, .241 batting average allowed, 31.2 percent strikeout rate, 12.7 percent walk rate
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Relying heavily on his fastball and slider, Hicks’s two-pitch repertoire is still good enough to miss a lot of bats. While he hasn’t become the starter scouts once believed he could be, the 26-year-old righty still has an electric fastball and the slider can be effective at times.
Based on Hicks’ history with the Cardinals’ organization and the direction the team is headed, it’s very possible he doesn’t agree to the terms of the Cardinals’ offer. If that proves to be the case, he likely won’t be with St. Louis on Aug. 2.
