The St. Louis Cardinals have already taken small steps toward being sellers at the MLB trade deadline. Now, hours away from Aug. 1, the Cardinals are reportedly in talks with multiple teams about a series of deals that would drastically alter the Cardinals’ pitching staff.
Pitching has been the biggest issue for St. Louis this season. Entering MLB games today, the Cardinals ranked 24th in ERA (4.61), 25th in quality starts (30) and 27th in WHIP (1.47).
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However, there have been a few bright spots on the Cardinals’ pitching staff this season. Starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery has been everything St. Louis hoped for when they traded for him in 2022. However, the 30-year-old southpaw is an impending free agent and the Cardinals want to get something back for him before he leaves in free agency.
- Jordan Montgomery stats: 3.42 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 108 Ks in 121 innings pitched
Closer Jordan Hicks (3.67 ERA) and starter Jack Flaherty have also been positive contributors for St. Louis this season. With all three players rejecting contract extensions and ready to test the open market in the winter, St. Louis wants to move them now.
According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals have discussed trades with the Miami Marlins, Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays.
Texas was in the market for a starting pitcher before it acquired Max Scherzer. After landing the All-Star starter, the Rangers have turned their focus to strengthening their bullpen with an eye on Hicks.
As for Miami, Goold reporters the club has maintained ana active dialogue with the Cardinals about Flaherty and Montgomery. While it’s not clear if any deal is close, St. Louis is very willing to move both pitchers and the Marlins want to roll into August with an upgraded rotation.
The Rays, who have one of the worst records in MLB over the last two weeks, are interested in all pitching. After failing to acquire Lance Lynn, Tampa Bay has reached out to St. Louis about its available arms.
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Notably, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reports that trade talks involving Montgomery are gaining momentum and its increasingly likely he is traded.