St. Louis Cardinals Hot Stove: Five trade candidates at first base

October 15, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams (53) argues a strikeout call to umpire Bruce Dreckman in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game four of the National League Championship Series baseball game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

It seems as if each passing day, something new happens that whips up excitement over what the St. Louis Cardinals will do in the free agency and trade markets.

Case in point? The Lance Lynn injury now has us all daydreaming of uber free agent David

Price donning a crisp white St. Louis Cardinals uniform on April 11, the team’s home opener against the Milwaukee Brewers.  I’m a glass-is-half-empty kind of guy, so I’m not as optimistic as our Chris Greene is. And yet, I hope.

The truth is that the St. Louis Cardinals — even with their new TV riches — operate much better under the radar, making those sneaky good free agency signings and trades while everyone ogles the free spenders. I understand why everyone wants to talk about Price (I do, too), but I ‘m just as interested in seeing what kind of trades general manager John Mozeliak can pull off to improve the club in 2016 and beyond.

The groundwork is being laid as we speak. The annual GM meetings, which are going on now in Miami, rarely produce immediate gratification trades. (Although I do think the Yankees’ trade for Aaron Hicks during this year’s meetings is interesting). More often, the event launches discussions that lead to trades in the ensuing weeks.

So let’s think along with Mozeliak as he and the St. Louis Cardinals enter the sweet spot on the calendar for Hot Stove action.

Next: Roster Strengths

Roster Weaknesses

With apologies to … everyone, the starting rotation is not a weakness, not even after the Lance Lynn news. Just look at it:

1. Adam Wainwright, RHP
2. Carlos Martinez, RHP
3. Michael Wacha, RHP
4. Jaime Garcia, LHP
5. Tyler Lyons, LHP

That’s not bad. Everyone has to stay healthy, of course. And the Alex Reyes suspension isn’t

A common sight from the 2015 season. Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

great, given that it might delay his ascention to the rotation. But I think half the teams in the big leagues would happily take these five guys.

What sucks is the offense. A full year of Piscotty, Grichuk (if he stays) and even Pham will help. The Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox have expressed an interest in trading for Brandon Moss, but if he stays he may have another good year in him. But really, the team needs an upgrade, either at first or short.

Jhonny Peralta is stealthily troubling. You’ll look at the 33-year-old’s .277 average and 17 dingers and see that both compare well among big league shortstops. You’ll notice he made his second All-Star Game in 2015. But what you might miss is that he really had only one great month, May, when he hit .306 with 6 homers and 18 RBI. His production dropped off a cliff in the second half. I worry a steep decline will come even earlier next year.

Then there was first base, an offensive (in every possible way) black hole for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2015. Collectively, Cardinal first basemen hit .238 and slugged just 18 home runs, both ranking 26th among the 30 Major League teams. We could hope for a miraculous come back by erstwhile starter Matt Adams, but he doesn’t have a body of work (or body) to inspire much confidence.

Next: Trade Partner #1: Oakland Athletics

Potential Trade Partner #1: Oakland Athletics

Given who their general manager is, the Oakland Athletics should be on the list of potential trade partners for every other Major League team. Billy Beane never shies away from pulling the trigger. Beane has one intriguing player to deal to the Cardinals in catcher/first baseman Stephen Vogt.

The 31-year-old Vogt enjoyed a breakout 2015, hitting 18 homers and driving in 81 runs for an

Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

otherwise middling offense. One note of concern is how much of that porduction came in the first half. He was Peralta-like, slugging 14 homers and 56 RBIs in 279 at-bats before the All-Star break.

But his versatility means he can man first base and spell the 34-year-old Yadier Molina when needed. And a move to more hitter-friendly Busch Stadium could help his offensive numbers even more.

Helping matters, perhaps, is the the A’s have one of the best first basemen in the minor leagues, Matt Olsen, who hit 17 dingers in double-A last year. What would be great is for Beane and Mozeliak to work out a deal that would also yield one of the A’s young starters.

Beane will certainly ask for youth in return, and the Cardinals have it. I wouldn’t shed a tear over losing catching prospect Carson Kelly, although fellow editor, Steve McNeil might.

Next: Trade Partner #2: San Diego Padres

Potential Trade Partner #2: San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres made big news last winter, swinging a bunch of big trades that depleted

Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

their farm system and creating a porous defense that was one of many reasons the team underperformed last year.

Guess what? The Padres still need someone who can run down fly balls in the outfield. And the Cardinals need a decent first baseman, which the Padres don’t have. Kind of. The depth chart lists outfield liability Wil Myers behind incumbant first baseman Yonder Alonso. Should Mozeliak make a play for Myers to see if the Padres would be willing to deal him for, say, Grichuk?

Yeah, I know. I’m luke warm on this one, too. I’d say, hey, maybe the Cardinals should consider trading the Houston Astros a player for Jon Singleton or Chris Carter. But …you know.

Next: Trade Partner #3: Texas Rangers

Potential Trade Partner #3: Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers were another team plagued by poor defense last year. Only the Pittsburgh Pirates and Athletics made more errors in 2015. Six of them came from center fielders and their .987 was fifth lowest among all Major League centerfielders. So they could use a little defense out there.

The Rangers relief corps was another weakness. Their 63 homers surrendered was fourth-

Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

highest in the Major Leagues, and their 4.12 ERA wasn’t great, either. Shawn Tolleson, their closer, wasn’t bad but wasn’t great, either. A 2.99 ERA doesn’t exactly say, “dominant.” Honestly, it’s a miracle that team reached the postseason.

First base, however, is a position of strength. They have Mitch Moreland and Prince Fielder flip flopping between there and designated hitter. But meanwhile, power-hitting prospect Joey Gallo, also a corner infielder, is slated for an outfield spot thanks mostly to the presence of Adrian Beltre.

Of that foursome, Moreland is probably the most realistic target.

Next: Trade Partner #4: Tampa Bay Rays

Potential Trade Partner #4: Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays acquisition of Morrison last week gave the team a surplus of guys capable of playing

Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

first base. The incumbent is James Loney, a steady .280 hitter who’s often good for 10-15 homers a year while playing seal-tight defense. He’s 31 years-old (32 in May) and entering the final year of his contract. Doesn’t that sound like the kind of player the Rays drop like a hot potato?

Adding to the chance Loney might be a goner in Tampa is stud prospect Richie Shaffer, their first-round pick in 2012 who broke in late this past season. He can play either corner infield spot, but is obviously blocked at third by franchise icon Evan Longoria.

Like the A’s, the Tampa Bay braintrust will want youth in return. Pitching, probably. A few mid-range prospects would do. Or maybe a Marco Gonzeles. A year of decent production and rock-solid defense at first base would be a nice payoff for that. Plus, it would allow the Carinals to keep Piscotty in the outfield.

Next: Trade Partner #5: New York Mets

Potential Trade Partner #5: New York Mets

Next season is not going to be a great time for the New York Mets. They are no longer a Cinderella story and will be playing an entire season under immense and unrealistic expectations of their fan base. Meanwhile, they have to deal with the baseball mortality of franchise face David Wright.

Earlier this week, Mark Simon of ESPN made a case for Wright switching to first base at least part of the time. Chronic back problems have sapped his throwing arm of all its strength. He simply can’t hack a full season at third base anymore.

Could such a devleopment make Lucas Duda available? Duda is a defensive liability, but he’s got pop in his bat. The Mets need bullpen help, plain and simple. Their outfield is set. So if the Cardinals are going to pry Duda loose, relief pitching will be the cost. It’s hard to say what kind of value would make this work. There is an intangible here given that Duda is almost as beloved by the Mets faithful as Duda is.

But stranger things have happened. Stranger things probably will happen. As free agents begin signing with different teams, the complexion of the trade market could change completely. I mean, really, the St. Louis Cardinals could swoop in and sign Chris Davis, making this whole column moot.

But we know better than that … Don’t we?