With a 13-25 record, the Cardinals have calmed the seas of drama. Not really. The Cardinals may have to make some moves soon to improve their pitching.
The Cardinals have recently won three games in a row, constituting a winning streak. This isn't to say that things have drastically improved for St. Louis. They still have their fair share of issues, including pitching.
Cardinals president of baseball operations, John Mozeliak, said he would raise the payroll after last season. Mozeliak did up payroll to get a catcher to replace Cardinals legend, Yadier Molina. Willson Contreras was signed for $87.5 million over five years. He's been demoted to the team's designated hitter while he learns the Cardinal Way of catching. While it's been a bizarre turn of events, he could return behind the plate when there is a level of comfort for Contreras, the pitchers, and manager Oliver Marmol.
This might not be as glaring a concern had Mozeliak upgraded the starting rotation and bullpen. Pitching has been the one glaring issue for the Cardinals for a couple of seasons now, but Mozeliak insists on believing in the pitching staff he has now. The team does have several young pitchers in the minors with loads of potential.
Those young pitchers may be a few seasons away from fully ready to join the Cards in St. Louis. Moves must be made to boost their pitching. Let's review some options the front office should consider for trade.
St. Louis Cardinals Trade Target: Aaron Nola
Nola is in the final season of a five-year $56.75 million contract and will become a free agent after this season.
In eight games this season, he's 3-2 with an ERA of 4.44 over 48.2 innings. He's thrown 39 strikeouts this season. He throws a four-seam fastball that averages 91.7 mph and a curveball that averages 78.3 mph. He induces 39.3-percent ground balls. He has a 29.2% called strikes plus whiff rate, below average.
The Phillies are 18-19 so far and look to get a boost from the return of Bryce Harper. As we get closer to the trade deadline, look for the Phillies and Cardinals to be a couple of teams active. Nola would be an excellent addition to the Cardinals, who need pitching depth. They hope to get Nola to sign on for more time with the Cardinals.
St. Louis Cardinals Trade Target: Max Scherzer
It may be a long shot, but Scherzer is a native of St. Louis and has previously expressed interest in joining the Cards. It would be great to see a hometown guy play for the team. But. He is in the second season of a three-year contract worth $130 million. He can opt-out after this season.
Scherzer was suspended recently for allegedly using a sticky substance and is currently listed as day-to-day with neck spasms.
After five games, Scherzer is 2-2 with a 5.56 ERA over 22.2 innings. Scherzer has 20 strikeouts and a called strike + whiff rate of 28.1%. He primarily uses a four-seam fastball, which averages 93.1 mph, and a slider, which averages 84 mph. While his pitches induce 24.2 percent of the time, he isn't the typical pitcher the Cards would try to get for their rotation. But, their pitch to contact doesn't appear as successful as it once was. It would be great to see a pitcher for the Cardinals who can throw strikes throughout multiple innings per game. Scherzer could be that stepping stone to a new type of Cardinals pitcher.
The Mets are 18-19 and tied for third place in the NL East. Scherzer will not be dealt if the Mets get on a winning streak, as the team will want to keep Scherzer and Justin Verlander together for any possible playoff run. If the Mets are out of it and they sense Scherzer could opt out after this season, then you could see Mets owner Steve Cohen make a play for a trade to at least get something in exchange for Scherzer. While it may not be likely, it could be exciting.
St. Louis Cardinals Trade Target: Shane Bieber
Bieber would be a fun addition to the Cardinals' pitching staff as he is in the middle of a one-year $10.01 million contract, has one more season of arbitration, and won't be a free agent until 2025.
He's started eight games for Guardians this season and accumulated a 3-1 with an ERA of 2.61 over 51.2 innings. He has 39 strikeouts this season with a called strike plus whiff rate of 28.9%. He throws a fastball that averages 91 mph and a slider that averages 84.5 mph.
Beiber also isn't a typical pitcher the Cardinals would seek, but he does have a ground ball rate of 46.8 percent. It would be fun to see Beiber in front of a Gold Glove defense that includes Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, Brendan Donovan, Tommy Edman, or Paul DeJong.
Beiber's been in the league for six seasons and has thrown 754.2 innings and 870 strikeouts. Those are impressive numbers the Cardinals could benefit from having on staff. It would be a good move for the team seeking to improve their rotation.
Trade to Avoid: Alex Cobb
Cobb is in the final guaranteed season of a two-year contract worth $20 million. The Giants are 16-20 and in fourth place in a packed NL West. Cobb is 35, and while he may need a change in scenery, St. Louis may not be the place for him.
Cobb is 2-1 after seven games started for the Giants. For 40.1 innings pitched, he has an ERA of 2.01. In contrast, he has 1,005 strikeouts over his career, with 38 strikeouts this season and a called strikes plus whiff rate of 27.7%. He throws a sinker that averages 94.9 mph and a splitter that averages 90.3 mph.
Cobb would be a nice veteran presence that the Cardinals have plenty of. Cobb is an innings-eating strike thrower that might appeal to the Cardinals wanting to make a play for him because he also induces 62.6-percent groundball outs. The Cardinals need to watch for younger arms for their rotation.