STL Cardinals Rumors: Dylan Carlson fights back tears

It's been a tough run for Dylan Carlson. The Cards outfielder has been mentioned in trade rumors all season long, and while he's done well to block out much of the noise, he's losing opportunities fast.

The Cardinals have given Carlson less and less playing time of late. Oli Marmol said he feels confident the team has given every player a chance to show what they can do in a crowded outfield. John Mozeliak is expected to take care of that logjam by the MLB Trade Deadline, but for now, it seems Carlson is the odd man out.

"I feel like I can really help this team, but opportunities have been scattered, and it hurts, honestly. I just try to do what I can to be ready for these guys and ultimately try to help us win," Carlson said.

Carlson has a year left on his current contract, which makes him a valuable trade asset. At one time, Carlson was rated as one of the Cardinals top prospects, and the team kept him out of any trade packages for hot commodities. That is no longer the case. Mozeliak knows the organization's priorities have changed — and not just for Carlson.

I don't know if I would use the phrase, 'not trying to compete.' I mean, obviously, if there are people that are getting moved out of here, that's just going to create more opportunity for someone else. I feel like with where this club's at right now. We just know it's not working intact, and so we do know we have to make some changes," Mozeliak said.

It'll be a difficult exit for Carlson should the time come, as St. Louis is the only organization he's ever known.

STL Cardinals Rumors: Logan Gilbert trade won't be easy

As much as John Mozeliak and the Cardinals front office may like what they see from Mariners 26-year-old right hander Logan Gilbert, it's tough to see the M's parting with him for anything short of a Brandon Donovan type.

Gilbert is at the forefront of the Seattle rotation. Sure, Luis Castillo and George Kirby offer them some stability should the Mariners lose Gilbert to add elsewhere on the roster, but his 3.65 ERA, 111-20 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .222 batting average against and 1.01 WHIP suggest he could be an All-Star caliber pitcher for years to come. Gilbert's contract flexibility — he's yet to enter arbitration — make it all the more tough to understand why Seattle would part ways with him.

What doesn't help the equation for St. Louis is that the Mariners — a team that would be buying, in this instance — sits at .500 right now on the season. Will Seattle really want to trade one of their best young pitchers just for a slightly better chance to contend in the crowded AL West?

Mozeliak made it clear that the Cardinals are targeting pitching, and that "we're going to trade people. I just don't know if it's going to be household names or more of the guys who aren't likely to be here next year."

But to acquire Gilbert from a fellow organization hitting the 2024 reset button this deadline, they'll likely have to part with a similarly coveted asset.

MLB Rumors: Yankees in on Jack Flaherty, Blue Jays for Jordan Montgomery?

In a recent article outlining trade fits, Jim Bowden of The Athletic linked Jack Flaherty and Dylan Carlson to the New York Yankees. The Yankees, it should be noted, were just swept by the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night. It remains to be seen if they'll even buy at the trade deadline.

Per Ken Rosenthal, the Yankees could look to cut payroll at the deadline — while still hoping to acquire assets, ha! — in hopes of getting under the final tier of the luxury tax threshold.

"Yankees fans might be disgusted by any attempt to cut payroll when the team just entered a jersey patch partnership with Starr Insurance reportedly worth at least $25 million a year. But as disappointing as the Yankees have been, as close as they are to getting under the highest threshold, an all-in approach appears unlikely. Instead, the team might try to buy and sell, exploring deals to improve the roster, but at a potentially lower cost."

As silly as this may sound given the Starr Insurance patches the Yankees agreed to sport on their jerseys next season, spending unnecessarily will only limit the front office in the long run.

Along with the Yankees, Bowden also linked Jordan Montgomery to the Baltimore Orioles — a fit he's not the first to suggest. The Orioles have been floated as a destination for Shohei Ohtani, but adding a piece like Montgomery or even Marcus Stroman seems far more likely. Baltimore has sacrificed a lot to build up this team from the depths. They aren't about to part with the majority of their minor-league assets for half a season of Ohtani.

Montgomery has a 3.12 ERA after his most recent start. His price is only going up, so St. Louis would be wise to hold onto him until the deadline and let him accrue value with every successful outing.