Cardinals Rumors: Yankees are in on Dylan Carlson
It's no secret — Dylan Carlson has struggled this season, decreasing his trade value in the process. Carlson is hitting just .233 with five homers, 23 RBI, 25 runs and a .689 OPS in 64 games. As a corner outfielder with decent defensive ability, much of Carlson's strengths are meant to come from his bat. However, that bat has remained silent for much of the last two seasons.
The Cards did not want to flirt with a Carlson trade at last year's deadline — even in reported talks for Juan Soto. While that report is disputed, it speaks to how highly St. Louis valued Carlson and his remaining seasons of control. That won't help them at the trade deadline this season, though.
Carlson to the Yankees makes a lot of sense for several reasons, especially with the injury to Aaron Judge. Acquiring Carlson would allow the Yankees to prepare for 2024 while also improving their big-league club this season in hopes of making the playoffs. Brian Cashman isn't good at admitting defeat in the biggest baseball market in the world, and he's not about to do so this year when the Yankees are within striking distance of the AL Wild Card.
Adam Weinrib of Yanks Go Yard named Carlson as one of his Yankees trade targets to avoid just this morning:
"Technically, buying low on Carlson wouldn't be the worst long-term experiment. Only problem is the Cardinals aren't giving off an air of desperation to part with him. The cost might not be all that low here…You want to give up top talent in an effort to lead the charge in Carlson's reclamation project? Wait until the offseason. It's unlikely Sean Casey and Co. will be able to implement changes and alter the Cardinals outfielder's life by mid-August anyway."
Cashman doesn't want to wait.
Cardinals Rumors: Is Jeffrey Springs available?
In April, Jeffrey Springs was untouchable. The young Rays pitcher is one of the best arms in Tampa Bay's system, and had a 2.46 ERA last season in relief. In three appearances this year, he had a 0.56 ERA, looking even more electric as a starter. Since then, though, Springs has undergone Tommy John surgery, which could take upwards of a full year to recover from. Springs hopes to return in time for Rays spring training next season.
As the trade deadline nears, one thing is remarkably clear — Tampa Bay is desperate. The AL East is up for grabs thanks to a surge from the up-and-coming Baltimore Orioles. Despite a seemingly-insurmountable early-season lead by the Rays, that is no longer the case. If the Rays want to avoid the AL Wild Card, they may need some pitching help. This is where the Cardinals come in.
Josh Jacobs of Redbird Rants floated a Flaherty-for-Springs trade. I'm of the mindset Montgomery may need to be included in this trade, while Tampa can add in another mid-level prospect. A Tommy John recovery isn't as intimidating these days as it was just a few years ago. Springs should be fine with the right medical supervision. And when he returns, the expectation will be that he performs up to his standard. For St. Louis, that may be enough to lead the rotation.
Jacobs made his argument in an article via Redbird Rants:
"Well, this may be one of the unique opportunities to acquire a cost-controlled difference maker for their rotation while only using their expiring assets to do so. Springs is expected back by the middle of 2024 and makes just $5.2 million next year. His salary jumps up to $10.5 million in 2025 and 2026, and there is a $15 million club option for 2027. The Rays are trying to win a World Series this year, and have money wrapped up into a guy who will not pitch until next summer."
If the Rays are willing, it's worth a phone call.
Cardinals Rumors: A Jordan Hicks extension?
Despite an injury history that includes Tommy John surgery, postseason meltdowns and an inability to find the strike zone at times, Jordan Hicks still has some of the best pure stuff in MLB, and a 103 MPH fastball to boot. If he can ever harness all of that potential, he'll be one of the best relief pitchers in all of baseball.
That is what the Cardinals are counting on. Per Katie Woo of The Athletic, the two sides are progressing on contract extension talks leading up to the trade deadline.
"Hicks, who will turn 27 in September and has previously expressed a desire to remain in St. Louis, was set to be one of the most coveted relief arms this deadline due to his triple-digit velocity and wipeout slider. Since taking over closing duties for St. Louis, Hicks has registered a 2.03 ERA and converted eight of nine save opportunities," Woo wrote.
As Woo notes, Hicks has been phenomenal since taking over as Cardinals closer halfway through the season. It was a bold move by manager Oli Marmol, but a smart one. The St. Louis front office needed to see what they had in Hicks before making a long-term decision on him. As John Mozeliak and Co. prepare for 2024 and beyond, it seems certain now that Hicks will play a role on their quest to compete.
St. Louis hopes to acquire controllable starting pitching at the trade deadline. They have the assets to do so, namely in current pitchers Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty, as well as outfielder Dylan Carlson and shortstop Paul DeJong, among others.