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

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