The St. Louis Cardinals will look to reset their roster with their focus on the 2024 season. Which pitchers should they target at the trade deadline?
John Mozeliak, Cardinals president of baseball operations, let it be known that players will be traded. While "household names" may not be in the mix, they will look to sell players who might not be around next season due to free agency.
Mozeliak said any trades will look to make the Cardinals better in 2024.
If the Cardinals' moves can help them get some wins that make them a spoiler or get them out of last place, that would be a plus for the team in the way of morale going into the offseason. Even with the Cardinals getting an excellent series win over the Washington Nationals this weekend, the Cardinals have had a rough season where they haven't presented as a team unit. Getting the team aspect back on track and through this stormy season will be key moving forward.
Let's discuss the names being floated as options for the Cardinals to target as we approach the trade deadline.
STL Cardinals rumors: 4 pitchers to target in trades for 2024 reset
Logan Gilbert could be a target for the Cardinals
In 18 games started this season, Gilbert is 7-5 with an ERA of 3.66. He has 108.1 innings pitched and 106 strikeouts this season. A young pitcher that can throw innings and strikes is exactly what the Cardinals need as soon as possible.
Gilbert, a 26-year-old lefty, has an arsenal of five pitches he mixes up. He uses a four-seam fastball, a slider, a curveball, a split-finger, and a sinker. Gilbert's curveball has an impressive 54.3 inches of vertical drop. He does have a ground ball rate of 43.2 percent.
He threw a complete game shutout in a July 4 start against the San Fransico Giants. He gave up five hits in the game but did strike out seven batters. In his most recent start on July 9, he went seven innings, giving up three hits, including a home run. He did strike out six batters.
Gilbert was the Mariners' first-round draft pick in the 2018 MLB Draft out of Stetson University in Florida. He is an attractive option because he isn't arbitration eligible until 2025 and will not be a free agent until 2028.
Gilbert would be an incredible addition to the Cardinals' rotation. He would solidify the group, which should have some outstanding prospects joining in the coming seasons.
Lance Lynn could rejoin the Cardinals at the deadline
Lynn was a first-round draft pick by the Cardinals in 2008 out of the University of Mississippi. He was with the Cardinals from 2011-17, playing a massive role out of the bullpen during the 2011 World Series.
Lynn was a fan favorite with his personality and bulldog mentality on the mound. It would be curious to see if Mozeliak wanted to bring Lynn back into the organization. Since leaving the Cardinals, he's spent time with the Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, and Chicago White Sox. He is in the final season of a two-year contract with the White Sox worth $38 million. He'll be a free agent, and the Cardinals need a dependable veteran arm.
Lynn is 6-8 in 19 games started this season for the White Sox. He has a 6.06 ERA over 108.1 innings pitched. He's thrown 133 strikes this season. On June 18, Lynn threw 16 strikeouts in a game he lost. On July 6, Lynn threw 11 strikeouts after pitching seven innings. He lost this outing after the White Sox went into extra innings. Much like the Cardinals, Lynn has had a rough season.
Lynn still throws a mean fastball but has added to his pitch arsenal since his time with the Cardinals. He now has a cutter, a sinker, a changeup, a curveball, and a slider.
While Lynn doesn't have the most incredible numbers this season, Mozeliak intends to help for 2024. Having Lynn help the Cardinals finish strong and prove he's a guy they need in 2024 could be a fun reunion for both Lynn and the Cardinals.
Dylan Cease could join the Cardinals at the trade deadline
A 27-year-old righty, Cease was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2014. He was part of a package deal with Eloy Jimenez to bring Jose Quintana to the Northside. He's playing on a one-year contract worth $5.7 million. He's arbitration eligible in 2024 and becomes a free agent in 2026.
In 20 games started this season for the White Sox, Cease has a record of 4-3 with a 4.18 ERA. He's pitched 107.2 innings and thrown 129 strikeouts. He can throw strikes and innings, but his record isn't reflecting success. The White Sox season has gone much like the Cardinals – frustratingly.
Cease has an exciting mix of four pitches: a fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup. Cease's curveball has a 59.2-inch vertical drop at 80 mph. The Cardinals would have him work on this pitch to become more of a putaway pitch.
With so much potential and team control remaining, Cease is an ideal fit under Mozeliak's plan to retool with a focus on 2024.
Yankees prospect Clayton Beeter is on the Cardinals' radar
The Cardinals are rumored to be interested in Yankees prospect Clayton Beeter, a 24-year-old righty pitcher. He is the 13th overall prospect in the Yankees system and recently pitched in the SiriusXM Future's Game during All-Star Weekend festivities in Seattle.
This season, Beeter has started 15 games with an overall record of 6-3 with a 2.49 ERA. He's pitched in 76 innings and thrown 89 strikeouts between AA Somerset and AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
According to Josh Jacobs of Redbird Rants regarding Beeter:
Beeter has been excellent this season, posting a 2.64 ERA with 83 SO in 71.2 innings for the Yankees' Double-A and Triple-A affiliates this year. Beeter was a strikeout machine in 2022, posting a crazy 15.1 SO/9 while throwing 71.2 innings, the highest rate of minor leaguers with that many innings.
The Cardinals are in desperate need of an innings-eating strike thrower. While Beeter is in the minors with the Yankees, with his skill set, he could crack the Major League roster soon enough and provide impact. Mozeliak is focused on 2024, and Beeter could be a big part of the 2024 roster if Mozeliak makes a deal for him.