St. Louis Cardinals: Time to start planning a Matt Carpenter trade

The St. Louis Cardinals have the honest front-runner for the NL MVP on their squad right now. And there is no reason they shouldn’t start planning a trade of him now.

The St. Louis Cardinals must have their radar on the future. This season, while still playing, must be a see-what-they-have season. Their minds, however, must be on the future. I’m not sold that the future of the St. Louis Cardinals includes Matt Carpenter.

Please understand that I am not saying that Carpenter is disposable. Rather, I am celebrating the masterwork that Carpenter is displaying this season. He IS the NL MVP this season. Sorry, Javy Baez, but you are not a better player than Carpenter at this time.

Let’s pause for a moment and celebrate the over-achieving work that Carpenter has produced this sesason:

• .600 SLG
• .991 OPS
• 32 home runs – 32!!
• 65 RBI
• 5.9 WAR
• Plays three positions (3B, 2B, 1B)

Let’s all ignore the ridiculousness of the media and their butt-love for all things Chicago Cubs. Thanks, Hunter, for defending OUR MVP.

Now, to the topic at hand. Carpenter is under contract through 2019 with a team option for 2020. Following the 2018 season, teams will be seeking names in the ilk of Carpenter. He could make a great addition for any team. This could be the St. Louis Cardinals, but the organization could also get a bigger return if dangling Carp’s name.

More from St Louis Cardinals Rumors

• What’s next for the St. Louis Cardinals after Contreras signing?
• Report: Cardinals Emerge As Mystery Team for Carlos Rodon
• Cardinals: Trade targets after signing Willson Contreras
• Cardinals Rumors: Is Willson Contreras Defense a Concern?
• St. Louis Cardinals: Alejandro Kirk or Danny Jansen?

If the St. Louis Cardinals are truly interested in building their team for the future, sending Matt Carpenter elsewhere makes sense in getting a big name with longer control and perhaps one that would desire more money than Carpenter is owed.

I wish I knew where he could go or what the Cardinals could get in return. I want to think Nolan Arenado, Mike Trout, maybe even Bryce Harper? Teams like San Francisco, New York Yankees, or maybe even one of the Florida teams would like to pick Carpenter up and build around him.

If the Cardinals keep Carpenter – also not a bad idea – then they need to decide to plan around his name. This means installing him full-time at first, finding a massive replacement at third, and getting him offensive protection (production).

Without really knowing the plans for the future, I am inclined to urge the trade-away of Carpenter this offseason. Stay with us and we will share any information we learn. Thanks for reading and GO CARDINALS!