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

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