Let's be frank: The Cardinals should consider themselves lucky to be a trade deadline buyer to begin with. But what moves should they make?

Considering the start to the season for the St. Louis Cardinals, it's surprising they are even in the conversation as a trade deadline buyer. Yet, the NL Central is as wide open as ever. With that in mind, the Cards have some decisions to make.

St. Louis has a rather large gap at the top of their rotation. Yes, Miles Mikolas has been solid of late, and the Cardinals front office could try to simply fill some holes with free agents to be as they did in recent years, but it won't necessarily address the root problem.

As recently as a few days ago, John Mozeliak stated that he plans on adding to the club come late July.

"Where our division is headed, it's going to remain very competitive. We're going to be looking at ways that can really help this club," Mozeliak said.

Assuming we take Mozeliak at his word, who should St. Louis consider adding?

Cardinals Rumors: A dream trade for an ace

As mentioned above, the Cardinals need an ace. This is a deficit of their own making, as St. Louis moved off the likes of Sandy Alcantara and Zac Gallen in recent years. Both are among the best pitchers in all of baseball, and could very well be in the NL Cy Young race when the year is up. FanSided's Miranda Remaklus pointed this out in a recent article:

"So imagine if the Cardinals had made some different moves. They could have a lot less stress from their uncertainty. They could have some young aces to pair with Flaherty. And they could have a couple more veterans to pair with Wainwright and Mikolas."

Those moves may haunt Cards fans for awhile, but perhaps it'll hurt a little less if they can acquire, say, a Dylan Cease from the Chicago White Sox. The South Siders are expected to be sellers at the deadline this season, as they've disappointed the last few years and could use a reboot.

Cease hasn't pitched to his standard this year, as his ERA is just under five. He's trending in the right direction, though, and has lowered his ERA this month. Assuming that trend continues, look for the Cardinals and other teams to at least inquire about the 27-year-old, though the price might be too high for even Mozeliak to feel comfortable with.

Cardinals Rumors: A better trade fit

If the Cards perhaps want a high-leverage starter, but one they can probably afford, look no further than Alex Cobb of the San Francisco Giants. It's largely expect that the Giants, despite their 28-26 record, will sell at the trade deadline. San Francisco's competitive window is closing barring the unexpected, and Farhan Zaidi know that. So, will the Cards emerge as a potential suitor?

Cobb has a 3.05 ERA on the season and, for the most part, has been excellent. He'd immediately slide in near the top of the St. Louis rotation, and can be had for an affordable asking price. FanSided's Cody Williams laid out the possibility of a Cobb trade last week:

"Cobb has legitimately pitched like a Cy Young candidate this season, as surprising as that may sound. Through 10 starts with San Francisco, he's posted a 4-1 record with a 2.17 ERA and 1.31 WHIP on the season. He's also posted a Quality Start in half of his outings this year, showing immense prowess from the 35-year-old veteran.

What makes Cobb intriguing as a trade target, though, is that his contract is almost up with just a $10 million club option remaining for next season."

St. Louis likely wouldn't have to part ways with any of their top prospects, including Jordan Walker, which would be a non-starter for any trade conversation. However, expect the market for Cobb to heat up around the deadline. The Cardinals won't be the only team to come calling.

Cardinals Rumors: Don't trade this prospect at all cost

The St. Louis Cardinals will likely have to part ways with some of their prized prospects to win a World Series with this core, but one of those prospects should not be Tink Hence. Remember when I mentioned the future aces the Cards let go? Hence could be the next, if they make that mistake.

Per The Athletic's Zach Buchanan, Hence is on the fast track to the major leagues. Help is coming for the Cards rotation, but those players remain in the minor leagues and are getting their reps in, for now, Hence included. Per one MLB scout, "He's 20 years old and throws four pitches, all of which are average or above, and he's a strike-thrower with command. I saw him in the past when he first signed as a second-rounder in 2020, and he was interesting then. Now, he looks like he's got a chance to be on the fast track."

Hence is just 20 years old and is ranked No. 61 in MLB Pipeline's top-100 prospects list. He's got a lot going for him at an early age, and is in the early stages of his development. Trading him now would be disastrous, and unless the return is Shane Bieber or a similar ace-level talent, it's just not worth it.

His fastball hits 98 mph, and he has a filthy slider that will haunt major-league hitters for years to come. You don't trade a pitcher like that, and it's a lesson the Cardinals have learned the hard way.