The St. Louis Cardinals were active at the trade deadline, but still held onto some potential assets who were on the block. Could those same players be dealt this offseason?
John Mozeliak and the Cardinals prioritized acquiring young pitching at the trade deadline, and did just that thanks to trades involving Jack Flaherty, Jordan Montgomery, Jordan Hicks, Paul DeJong and more. St. Louis now has starting pitching depth throughout their minor-league levels, though it remains to be seen exactly how that depth will translate into major-league success.
Still, St. Louis's outfield roadblock remains. Many of the Cardinals best young players — including Jordan Walker and Lars Nootbaar — are outfielders. This surplus gives Mozeliak an advantage should he choose to use it.
Cardinals players to trade this offseason: Dylan Carlson
The Cardinals and Yankees nearly agreed to a last-minute deal for Dylan Carlson, but St. Louis didn't like the prospect package New York offered for the 24-year-old outfielder. Carlson has another year left on his deal, so there was no reason for the Cards to trade him with such urgency. Now, surely, they would have received a decent prospect package for him had they found a suitor, and had Carlson performed up to par this season.
Sadly, Dylan didn't hold up his end of the bargain, and a player St. Louis felt uncomfortable including in a trade for Juan Soto fell short of expectations. While the Cardinals didn't deal Carlson this time around, they could be persuaded to do so at the winter meetings or later this offseason if the outfield market is lacking. Carlson has potential, that much is clear. He's a former top prospect who hasn't put it all together. A fresh start could do him some good, and perhaps help Mozeliak acquire that young starting pitcher he's looking for.
Cardinals players to trade this offseason: Tyler O'Neill
Tyler O'Neill still has another year left of arbitration, so he won't be a free agent until after the 2024 season, much like Carlson. O'Neill was floated in trade rumors early this season until just a few weeks prior to the trade deadline, when the Cardinals made it clear they intended on keeping the Canadian.
O'Neill is a Gold Glove caliber talent and has increased his offensive numbers from their surprising lows earlier this season. In 2023, O'Neill is slashing .254/.324/.403 in 41 games played. He's struggled with injuries for much of the year.
As talented as some of these Cards outfielders have been — Harrison Bader included — it's their health that ends up being their undoing. Bader was traded for Jordan Montgomery at least year's deadline, but when healthy Bader is clearly the more valuable asset. The same can be said about Carlson and definitely O'Neill. When healthy, O'Neill is a Gold Glove talent who can hold his own at the dish. He's a winning ball-player, but not one who sees the playing field as often as he should.
Playing into the possibility of trading O'Neill is the fact that he and Oli Marmol were involved in an early-season spat. If Marmol is here to stay — and it sure looks that was given he aligns with management on most issues — then O'Neill would be better served taking his talents elsewhere after the 2024 season. St. Louis knows this, which is why they'd consider trading him before that occurs.
Cardinals players to trade this offseason: Paul Goldschmidt
St. Louis has the makings of a very impressive young core, but the old guard is aging out. Nolan Arenado will be a Cardinal for as long as his contract allows — so through 2027, at least. The same cannot be said for Paul Goldschmidt, who becomes a free agent after the 2024 season. Goldy is hitting at an MVP level again this season, but his value will never be higher. Just how likely is a contract extension considering Goldschmidt is on the wrong side of 35 years old? Are his best days as a baseball player behind him?
Recent history says yes. As well as Goldschmidt is playing now, hitters don't age well. If Goldschmidt's agency is chasing a five-to-six-year contract that will pay Goldy into his 40's, that ought to be a non-starter for Mozeliak.
Goldschmidt is slashing .275/.362/.455 this season with 18 home runs. He, along with Arenado, are the centerpieces of this Cardinals lineup, and losing him without receiving some sort of replicable piece would seriously hurt their 2024 chances. If they keep Goldy, though, they risk losing him for nothing, barring a short-term contract extension.
Baseball is a tough business for a reason.