The Cardinals are “intent on upgrading the rotation, not just spackling it,” Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports in a comprehensive look at the team’s potential deadline trajectories. While past deadline trades have often brought stopgaps options to St. Louis (e.g. Jon Lester and J.A. Happ just last year), the Cardinals could aim a bit higher this time around. Athletics right-hander Frankie Montas and Marlins righty Pablo Lopez are among the starters in whom the Cards have expressed interest, per the report. Goold also lists Angels right-hander Noah Syndergaard as a name of interest, and there are surely others the Cardinals are considering as they look to offset injuries to Jack Flaherty, Steven Matz, Alex Reyes and Dakota Hudson (who has struggled even when healthy this season).
St. Louis has upwards of $155MM already on the books for the current season, though that number will dip to around $90MM for the 2023 campaign (not including several notable arbitration raises). The Cardinals are still nearly $10MM shy of their record Opening Day payroll ($164MM), and they’ve gone a bit further than that with some midseason acquisitions in recent years, so there should still be payroll space to accommodate players making substantial salaries. They also have one of the game’s deepest farm systems, allowing them to bid competitively for the market’s top arms.
Some more notes on the trade market for starters…
- The Mariners are looking for rotation help, and Ken Rosenthal reports in his latest appearance with FOX Sports that Reds ace Luis Castillo “seems to be their main focus and target” at this juncture (Twitter link, with video). Seattle’s top four starters — Logan Gilbert, Robbie Ray, Marco Gonzales and Chris Flexen — have made at least 19 starts, and they’ve received good results from top prospect George Kirby since plugging him into the rotation (3.50 ERA through 13 starts). However, Kirby is at 96 innings between the minors and big leagues combined, which is already a notable jump from last year’s total of 67 2/3 innings. Gilbert’s 123 innings effectively match last year’s total of 124 1/3 frames. Beyond that, the Mariners probably can’t expect to avoid any notable injuries on the starting staff all season — few teams can — so there’s good sense in adding another arm to support the group. In Castillo’s case, he’d of course slot right in alongside Gilbert and Ray into a playoff rotation and give the M’s an excellent trio upon which to lean both this season and next.
- For all the teams seeking pitching help, however, it’s the trio of AL Central front-runners that are the most aggressive at the moment, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com tweets. The Twins, Guardians and White Sox are all looking to bolster their pitching staffs (rotation and/or bullpen help alike). The American League Central is the one division in the sport where there are three legitimate contenders for the division crown at the moment, and both Cleveland and Chicago (who currently trail Minnesota) are within 3.5 games of a Wild Card berth as well. There’s been prior speculation (here included) about the White Sox potentially going another direction, but they’ve been playing some of their best ball of the season this month and have thusly not had any discussions about the possibility of trading away veteran arms like Lance Lynn and Lucas Giolito, MLB.com’s Jon Morosi tweets.
- As for the Twins, 1500 SKOR North’s Darren Wolfson suggested in yesterday’s podcast that Reds right-hander Tyler Mahle could be the likeliest name to land in Minnesota by Tuesday’s deadline, though the Twins are casting a wide net as they seek both rotation and bullpen help. Minnesota has also spoken to the Marlins about righty Pablo Lopez, Wolfson added.
Cincy sitting very pretty right now. Do not blow this Bob Castellini. You could have the best farm system in the NL if you do this right.
Bobs trying to tank the team by “building for the future” so he can move the team. They are going to blame it on current GM, move and they will hire someone else who will rebuild elsewhere. Jr. already hinted at it and then apologized after scrutiny. Their attempt to move is coming, I don’t think the MLB will allow it imho.
Dumb take.
This sounds like the plot for a baseball comedy movie
Why? What’s the difference? According to Castellini, you guys are dummies and show up to the ballpark either way.
My point exactly. Bob and his sons egos are hurt and they want to move. They aren’t big fans of the area or fan base. He wants a big market team but he has a tiny market bank account.
@bucfan0004- nothing wrong with being a true fan and showing loyalty to your team, regardless of how bad their playing. Always good to show up and show support. Smh
That’s true, but if the owner doesn’t try to field a competitive team, your rewarding poor ownership. I feel like Bob had tried in the past, but since 2020, he’s been to focused on reducing payroll. I’m not at the point of boycotting or anything, but he needs to win fans back that are.
Top farm systems mean jack. Especially with with the Reds seeing as in 3-4 these prospects will be dumped for more prospects and they will continue be in rebuild mode. They’re really only good if you’re a team that is willing to spend and deal off guys for established upgrades. The Reds are not that.
Yeah, no. The hardest thing in baseball is to acquire starting pitching. The Reds have done that. The rookie trio of Green, Lodolo, and Ashcraft are an excellent core to build around. Add them to Castillo and Mahle, or their substantial trade returns and you have an excellent rotation plus prospects in the pipeline (which pitching wise they already have). The Reds are set up nicely going forward.
Ella De La Cruz is going to skyrocket up the top prospect list and very well could be Top 10 by the time the next Top 100 prospect lists roll out. The kid is amazing and just keeps getting better. He hit a 512 foot HR in yesterday’s game. I think you’re right that if the Reds get this right with this deadline they will be a Top 10 farm next month.
Luis Castillo traded by the Giants,Marlins, Padres for peanuts in return. Now all those teams would give up big time prospects for 1 1/2 years of control for him…
Getting a healthy return is not a Reds thing to do. Krall/Castellini will probably hose it up by trying to package Castillo with Moustakas for a lesser return.
I can’t imagine being a player of Castillo caliber and winding up in any of those Central teams. What a bummer that would be.
Yep it is dumb to talk trash about NL Central teams. What a bummer when the Cards win the WS with regularity and the Brewers are legit.
Let the young SP pitch…
I still think if a team can trade for Joe Mantiply and Merrill Kelly -both on the Diamondbacks, they could break through. Kelly is having a really underrated season imo.
Merrill was just signed to an extension so I doubt they trade him.
Just checked. Signed through 2024 w/ option for 25. I thought it was through 2023 w/ options for 24 & 25.
What would it take for Seattle to get Castillo and India? That would fix their 2 biggest needs.
Marte, Hancock, kelenic, couple of others?
Probably Julio and France for starters
I would ask for Julio Rodríguez and a couple more pieces for Soto. Nothing wrong with that. I would trade myself for the 23 year old Soto also.
You’re out of your mind. Julio is going NOWHERE. Anyone who thinks different is off their rocker.
Castillo for Julio and France is a fair deal for both sides dude.
Kirby, Kelenic, Arroyo and Lewis to start…
Other than that they are the Reds and they always find a way to make a dumb move, why would they trade India? Especially now when he’s coming off of an injury rebuilding value.
I don’t think they would just hoping. By the time they are good again he will be out of his prime, they could replace him with arroyo or marte.
Ideally though, Seattle would look good with Skubal and G. Soto or Reynolds and Bednar and Quintana as a rental
Reynolds, Bednar, AND Quintana is going to cost the Mariners Julio, Hancock, Marte, and probably more…
Marte, Kelenic, Hancock, and maybe a couple of other minor leaguers ought to get it done. Maybe throw in Lewis, maybe White (and pay off his contract). If the Reds say Kirby has to be included, hang up.
Not sure Lewis would be in that group. Haniger might be though. He has had some fluke injuries but can still and play a good RF. He is less injury prone than Lewis.
Marte will be hard to let go but not sure if they would plan on moving him to third or Crawford to 2nd. Depends on if he keeps improving. Got off to a tough start but hitting good now. How about we give you Twinker instead of Kelenic? That guy drives me nuts.
Not sure why you are down on Kirby. Kid can hit 101 and has missed some spots and got hit hard. He has 98 innings I think in MLB. Came up from AA. It will be weird to be buyers and too prospects leaving instead of coming. Been a long time. The next week should be fun.
Compassrose, I am absolutely not down on Kirby at all, in fact I am very high on him and as I said, if the Reds insist he be included in a deal, hang up the phone.
Sorry read it the other way. When he gets a bit more muscle he will be a beast. Glad they are going slow with him. I might be in the minority but I am not sure if I would unload the prospects for Castillo. Probably get him for a year and a half if longer will be expensive. We have Gilbert and Kirby then Hancock. Brash more than likely goes to pen. Then Stoudt and a few others. Ray is here for 5 years I am not a huge Marco or Flexen fan. They will be passed up by the young guys.
If we are going to empty the minors should be only for Soto. Julio is going nowhere. Kyle Julio and Juan would be a killer OF. I know we need another arm but do we need a number 1 and empty the prospects? Or take a shot at Soto and negotiate an extension before the trade. Wouldn’t get it finalized but years and money agreed upon. He could go from the AS game to our first WS. A guy can dream.
Dreaming is great! I am also not enamored with Flexen and Gonzales. I think they are both good back-of-the-rotation types, not consistent enough or powerful enough to lead a rotation. Gonzales seems like a soft-tosser, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing except that he can be prone to allowing homers. I think Ray, Gilbert and Kirby are ahead of Flexen and Marco on the depth chart, anyway. I suspect Hancock and Dollard will also be ahead of those two when they arrive, providing they aren’t traded.
Why would any team want a AAAA player like Kelenic?
The Reds won’t be trading India. But they’d add Drury or Solano to a Castillo deal. That probably wouldn’t cost much more in prospects than Castillo alone and adds a solid infield bat for this season.
@gocincy If Seattle gets Castillo from the Reds, Cincinnati will get a quality return, especially if the return is good prospects from a good minor league system. I am not down on Kelenic, I believe he still has value, still only 23 and mashing in AAA… he might be worth more than many people think, as most seem to focus on his overall MLB numbers so far. In any event I’d rather see the M’s hang on to him for another season than see him traded. If he can get right again like he was at the end of last season, he will be plenty valuable. If it takes him a bit longer to get there, and he does it in another organization, so be it. If the Reds do get him, I believe the organization and Cincinnati fans will ultimately be satisfied.
Gorman for Thor… ok!:)
That’s a big wish. I’d like thor on the cards but gorman can fetch way more than a pending free agent. Now say ohtani, you can have gorman, and another 4 top prospects lol
californiaangels- Gorman for Thor is not happening. There is no way we are going to give so much for a rental. Although, for Ohtani we could give Gorman with more prospects included in the deal. It’s up to the Angels, if they want to improve their farm system work a trade with the Cards.
Thor is a salary dump and Angels would need to absorbing salary to get much if anything back. Besides, Rendon has Gorman’s natural third base occupied.
Castillo for Kelenic and Kyle Lewis
Mahle for Kiriloff ans Simeon Woods Richardson
I think the Reds would want more than Kelenic and Lewis for Castillo, but that’s a good foundation for a trade. The Mahle trade looks spot on.
LOL Kelanic….better hope the Reds would be blind to his .163 so far in his major league career….even at 23, doube the Red are that dumb to have him as 1 of 2 players headlining a trade for Castillo.
.163 so far. Kelenic is only 23.
There is no way that the Twins will include Kiriloff in any trade this season. He is part of the new roster that they are expecting to run with over the next 4-5 years.
Should be a fun weekend. It will be awesome to finally find out what some teams decide to do, and a clearer picture of the playoff races unfold.
Agreed. Looks like 12 different teams have a shot at a wild card spot. Plus, all division leaders seem to be sniffing around for help as well. Fireworks here shortly? Hope so!
I see the CWS trading some current MLB players (Sheets/Burger) and maybe some prospects that are blocked at the MLB level like Sosa or Cespedes for some back of the rotation left handed and relief help guys like Cole Irvin/Austin Gomber/Taylor Hearn etc.
Sheets or Burger would just be throw ins on a trade. No team is going to want players that can’t hit. WS are a little light on ready prospects.
Small market teams like Oakland/Colorado want cost controlled players that have some MLB experience the key would be Cespedes as part of that package. .
@ARC, those 2 aren’t that good with the glove either.
However both are better defensively than Eloy.
Eloy to be traded.
There must be one team out there who will take a risk that Eloy doesn’t get injured again.
Sox have plenty of other DH type players.
I am tired of seeing the immature goofing around in the dugout during games while the Sox play lackluster baseball!
A teams two best prospects and an mlb ready star should get it done. Cincy is in the driver’s seat.
Reds are in the driver’s seat. A team’s top 2 prospects plus an mlb ready future star should get it done.
That’s overpay I would lower expectations a bit
1 elite prospect, 1 good and filler Reds scouts may like seems right for the final cave. What you are saying would be way beyond what 3yrs of cheap control on “ace” Sale got (a better pitcher to boot then vs Castillo now).
Based on comments here, i predict reds fans are gonna be disappointed in the returns they get this week.
You’ll get two top 5 from someone as comparable to last years Berrios deal as long as they are both top 100 also.
I don’t think the White Sox should be buyers. I’m not in favor of starting the next rebuild just yet, but it’s feeling like a lost season. It’s not just the record, but how they’ve lost some of their games. IBB on a 1-2 count, running themselves into a triple play. all the defensive miscues: this is a very talented, but undisciplined team. That kind of team isn’t going to win anything and I’d be shocked if they got past the first round if they somehow do make it to the playoffs. Retool in the offseason, address needs at SP, 2B, and RF (and also hitting RHP’s if possible). If next year’s also a bust, then start over.
Like the Twins did last (off)season?
I mean they sold Berrios at the deadline, but other than that, yeah, more or less. It worked out really well for the Twins and maybe this is just the White Sox’ dumpster fire season.
FO lacks the foresight and guts to do a bold retool, as opposed to rebuild. Deal Hendriks for a mint, b/c expensive closers fall off fast and team too flawed for him to matter. Maybe someone has a good lefty bat to give back OR high end prospect. Same with Giolito since they wouldn’t and shouldn’t shell out 9 figures when he is a FA after ’23. Eloy can help another team lacking DH for return that helps them now. Too many poor defenders on this roster. ’05 happened b/c they got away from a collection of station to station players and retooled with speed/defense complementary parts.
You’d be selling low on Giolito and Eloy. I say let’s see what Eloy can do for the rest of the year, then Sox can try to move him if he rebounds. I’d listen to offers on Giolito because he has enough of a track record that this season may be seen as just a blip, but Sox FO is going to delude themselves into thinking they’re contenders this year, much like they did the year they traded for Shields.
Seattle should pry Rodon from the Giants-especially since both teams have each other on speed dial
This is Twins Territory!!
I think people are going to be surprised at how much Castillo brings back. With him being the best option on the market and quite a few teams looking to acquire him I think the Reds are going to make somebody overpay to land him. They don’t have to trade him so there is no pressure to move him by the 2nd. I truly believe if a team really wants him there will be a bidding war so the Reds haul is going to be a package that makes the acquiring teams fans question how much they have up. The trade deadline market may not always be a sellers market but Luis Castillo is a sellers market.
Sox should bring back Montas. Logistics good ’cause the A’s are in town!
Depends on the return. Before the season, there were several people saying he’d cost Vaughn. If that’s the case, Sox should hang up.
I’m even against trading Montgomery, as he could potentially switch to 2B until TA leaves or 3B if Moncada continues to struggle mightily. Unfortunately, the White Sox farm isn’t awash with valuable commodities after him. I just don’t see that one happening.
Looking at WS prospects there is not a good match. WS are light on good prospects right now is why the A’s wanted Vaughn. I do not see WS getting a quality arm with the lack of any top 100 prospects on their team. Most likely WS get a starter that is becoming a free agent that eats innings.
In fairness, Montgomery has been making a few of those top 100 lists of late, but yeah, I agree. Maybe, just maybe, they can pry Perez away from Texas as a rental. But that’s about as high as I can see them shooting in the SP market.
I believe that the CSW are done. 1 They are one of the worst teams in baseball at scoring with a runner at 3rd and less than 2 outs. 2 TLR is madly in love with some certain relief pitchers who clearly can’t get the job done. 3 They are just lackluster in nearly every phase. The veterans who are supposed to lead the team are failing miserably. I say SELL!
Fortunate or unfortunate they are in the AL Central and no one looks like they can run away with this division. Your already invested in Anderson, Moncada, Jimenez, Robert and you won’t trade Vaughn or Cease. There are contracts or players you can’t move Grandal and Pollack and players that wouldn’t bring much in return because there isn’t a big need for them Abreu etc. The only players in the system that look like they will be MLB players are Colas, Montgomery, Sosa and maybe Cespedes. Sosa, Cespedes, Burger and Sheets in some combination might be able to get you a Matt Moore, Cole Irvin, Austin Gomber to fill the whole of left handed #4-5 starter or relief but they are stuck with this roster and are handcuffed from buying big or selling big.
Any updates on Flaherty?
Since being unjustly stripped of my medical license, I can’t publicly update you on his status, however I can tell you he will be in spring training saying he feels great and hit the IL by May. His career as a cardinal is over.
Yup. Whether he is just excessively fragile, or not motivated to recover, there is no doubt Flaherty does not like pitching in St. Louis. He picks fights needlessly with the FO. Hopefully, we can get him healthy for one or two good starts before the year is over, then trade him for at least something in the off-season.
StL tight lipped as usual which isn’t a bad thing. Just shut him down. Don’t let him become a Reyes. Dudes got talent but please don’t be like Reyes in regards to the injury front. Reyes is a head case when he is on the mound. Flaherty doesn’t appear yo have those issues. StL can’t afford and it doesn’t do any good when you constantly on IL no matter your talent level.
Really happy to see the Guardians listed as potential suitors for Castillo. I’d offer Plesac, one of the top middle infield prospects, and maybe a minor prospect. Wonder if that could get it done.
Pablo Lopez and 1 of the bullpen arms for Gorman, Carlson, Gordon Graceffo, Alec Burleson, and a lower level pitching prospect
Lopez for Miranda, Steer, Wallner, a pitching prospect, and a throw in, maybe throw 1 of the Marlins bullpen guys in there and add another lower level piece or 2
Not sure what a Seattle, toronto, Cleveland, or even Arizona deal could look like, but if they’re stupidly trading Lopez it better be for a lot, with preferably close to the big league type corner bats, preferably on the infield, a CFer, pitching to replenish the system as the type of stuff they’re looking for
Seems like Cards are too perfect a match for Montas, unless A’s are determined to tie Montas & Murphy together; the Twins, Rays & M’a may have eyes for Eovaldi rental if he looks good v Houston …
cards do look like a good match for the A’s in prospects. If they wanted both the A’s would be asking for Walker in the trade. Do cards need Murphy when they have a good AAA defensive catcher? I could see Montas in a trade package with Alec Burleson, Freddy Pacheco, and a throw in.
Maybe knizer could be flipped in another package. Murphy would be great to have to start and mentor herrera next year.id like him and montas.
There is no way the Cardinals will give up Walker in any trade that does not involve Soto. But I think they could work out something for both Montas and Murphy without Walker involved.
I agree that Walker is NOT going to be traded unless it is a deal involving Juan Soto. Even then I’m sure Mozeliak would try and work around it but likely the Nationals would insist that Walker be a part of the deal.
Steve, as I’ve told you before, the Sox won’t be sellers no matter what happens. I know this for a fact.
Oakland would probably have to sweep them this weekend to consider a pivot to selling.
How about Eovaldi? He looked stupendous until his latest injury; I’d bet if he flashes that good form v Houston (tough assignment) this weekend Rays, Twins, Cards, Braves & M’s could bid.
So conflicting reports first one saying STL is looking for fringe roster type guys and now this.
it wouldn’t take too much to pick up rodon from the giants – honestly the idea that he isn’t available likely has more to do with the attached QO than actually wanting to keep him. If you can beat a comp pick or better yet trade a comp pick + an interesting prospect you can probably have him
Derrick Goold also repeatedly defended Dan McLaughlin as having “high character” despite his multiple DUIs and peeing in his pants so take his opinion for what it is worth.
Derrick Goold also repeatedly defended Dan McLaughlin as having “high character” despite his multiple DUIs and soiling himself during a traffic stop.
Syndergaard is a free agent after this year. He has done well coming back from TJS. He will make a bunch of money next year.
STL
Just go trade for Thor!!!
Get the ball rolling!
Geez
Thor to STL Make it Happen!
Astros SP Jose Urquidy for 3B/2B Nolan Gorman, C Andrew Knizner and OF Lars Nootbar. Sounds about right.
With the way this White Sox team has looked all season (bad defense, little league base running mistakes-that even Steve Stone is calling out, and poor situational hitting-Good thing that reliever for the A’s threw a wild pitch for the Sox to win the other night as I doubt Anderson drives in that run). The White Sox should not be buying anything, but selling if anything and then write off this season and start planning for a coaching and conditioning replacement in the off season, and find some heart. I also laugh at Giolito being ‘untouchable’ same with Lynn for that matter, if either guy can get you anything of value, do it immediately and run out of the office before the receiving team changes their minds.