St. Louis Cardinals: A trade proposal for the Cardinals and Royals

Conclusion

I believe this mock trade between Redbird Rant and the KIngs of Kaufman that brings Mike Moustakas to the St. Louis Cardinals is a good one.  As one might say, “a win-win for both groups.

Here’s why:

-The Cardinals would be getting a left-handed power bat that would fit nicely in the middle of the lineup.  The Cardinals don’t really have a left-handed power option in their lineup.  Matt Carpenter has returned to lead off  and Dexter Fowler doesn’t really fit that role.  However,  Jose Martinez, Moustakas, and Marcell Ozuna would be a potentially potent right, left, right option for the Cardinals in their middle batting order.

-Moose’ would allow Matt Carpenter to move to second to keep his  bat in the everyday lineup. My personal belief is Carpenter is better suited for second base than third base.  Jedd Gyorko could still move between third, short, and second, keeping his steady bat and glove in the lineup most days.

-Moustakas could also play first for the Cardinals, possibly to keep his bat in the lineup in late innings as a defensive substitute for Jose Martinez.  His work at first has been limited this year with the Royals, but I believe he has the hands and footwork to make a decent first baseman.

-Redbird Rants gave up three fine prospects to complete this mock trade.  Oscar Mercado and Evan Mendoza are both highly rated prospects in the Cardinals minor league system. Colton Thompson is a left-handed pitching prospect, while not currently highly rated in the farm system, could be a good piece down the road.  Giving them up wasn’t easy and did cause some debate among the Redbird Rants contributors.  However, the Cardinals minor league system is fairly deep and we believe can absorb the loss of these prospects.

-Mike Moustakas’ very friendly contract of one year, $6.5 million, the Cardinals can easily absorb.  Also, Moustakas is a better option than the now often injured aging Josh Donaldson and the 39-year-old Andrian Beltre.

-Finally, Manny Machado would be much more expensive to the Cardinals as far as prospects, for a likely one year rental.  The Cardinals will have a better chance to bring back Moustakas for 2019 and beyond at a more affordable price than Machado.

We feel at Redbird Rants this is a low risk, low cost, and possibly high reward trade for the St Louis Cardinals.  Also,  if made in the near future, it could make a difference in this team making the 2018 post season.

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What do you think of this mock trade?  Would you make it?  Let us know.