St. Louis Cardinals: Three (mostly) realistic trade targets for 2020

The St. Louis Cardinals are one of the stronger teams in the National League, but they may be one or two pieces away from taking that next leap. Who are some potential trade targets that could help elevate St. Louis into the favorite for the NL Pennant?

Last fall, it was the lack of offensive production that ended the St. Louis Cardinals’ quest for their 12th World Series title. Heading into 2020, it is apparent that the Cardinals may still be an offensive star away from reaching a World Series caliber team.

Let’s take a quick dive into the offensive numbers from 2019 for the Redbirds in comparison to the rest of the league.

Despite making it to the NLCS, The Cardinals finished 21st in OPS (.739), 15th in wRC+ (94), 19th in wOBA (.319), 24th in homers (210), 19th in runs (764), and 23rd in batting average (.245).

So can we all agree that the lineup, which features names like Paul Goldschmidt and Paul DeJong, will need some help if the club wants a different outcome in 2020?

Well, then let’s discuss two realistic trade targets, as well as one that is more of a longshot trade.

Trade 1: Nicholas Castellanos

I have wanted Nicholas Castellanos to be a Cardinal for quite some time now. Castellanos was traded to the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline last summer and then proceeded to sign with the Cincinnati Reds on a four-year/$64M contract this winter. So, unfortunately, the slugger has now become a familiar face in the NL Central.

Last season, Castellanos lead all of baseball in doubles with 58, a statistical category that the Cardinals struggled heavily at in 2019, thus explaining why they finished 28th in the league with an underwhelming 246 doubles.

Who finished behind St. Louis? Cincinnati, which is now the home for the 28-year old outfielder, and San Diego.

In 2019, Castellanos had an impressive slash line of .289/.337/.525 to go along with a .863 OPS, while also finishing with a stellar 121 wRC+. Additionally, his 21.5 K% would have put him 12th among Cardinals hitters in 2019.

I won’t ignore his defense, though… the numbers aren’t pretty. Last season, Castellanos posted a -5.2 UZR, -9 DRS, and -7 OAA, which is well below average to say the least.

So great offense and bad defense? Why would we want him? With the likeliness that there will be a universal DH moving forward, Castellanos could prove to be a perfect fit for the Cardinals as the everyday DH. And even if the DH doesn’t come in 2020, it’s hard to argue that the defensive gap between Dexter Fowler (-0.1 UZR, 4 DRS, -6 OAA) and Castellanos is enough to make up for the substantial difference on offense.

In a perfect world, the DH would be implemented, Castellanos would become the Cardinals’ DH, and top prospect, Dylan Carlson, will be the everyday RF in place of the declining Fowler.

If things don’t go as planned for the emerging Reds in 2020, Castellanos would be a great name to look in to at the trade deadline at any point throughout the season.

Trade 3: Matt Chapman

Now before you click off of the article because of how crazy the idea sounds, I encourage you to read through why I have Matt Chapman, arguably the most underrated superstar of our game, listed as a trade target.

First, why would Oakland even consider bringing their franchise superstar into trade talks, right? Like my teammate, Ben Remis wrote on Thursday in regards to a Chapman trade, Oakland is going to continue to run into financial problems as they look for an alternative from their current home, the RingCentral Coliseum.

Plus, with the additional financial issues that the coronavirus is bringing upon companies all over the world, it may become increasingly difficult for franchisees in smaller markets to pay their superstars.

And I do mean superstar. Among the everso talented third base group, Chapman ranked third in WAR (6.1) while also slugging for stellar offensive numbers. In 2019, the 27-year old displayed a 125 wRC+, .848 OPS, and .354 wOBA. While crushing 36 home runs, Chapman was able to drive in a career-high 91 RBI’s. Those already impressive numbers will just continue to rise as the third baseman is just entering his prime.

Chapman’s game doesn’t stop on the offensive end, either, as he is widely recognized as the best defensive third baseman in all of baseball. Yes, even better than the much talked about, Nolan Arenado.

In 2019, Chapman’s 14.8 UZR put him atop all third baseman with Arenado (10.3) in second. Oh, and get this. Chapman posted an astounding 34 DRS, also first in the major league’s, and nearly doubling Arenado who had 18. Chapman (14) did finish second behind Arenado (17) in OAA, but that is clearly a much smaller gap than the previously mentioned stats.

With the struggles last season from Matt Carpenter and the uncertainty of what position Tommy Edman will play in 2020, third base is currently one of the Cardinals’ biggest holes. So if Matt Chapman is ever available in the trade market, St. Louis would be crazy not to pounce on the opportunity to bring in one of the games’ premier stars.

With many of St. Louis’ National League foes improving over the offseason, it will likely take some new faces and mid-season acquisitions if the club wants to set themselves apart and appear in their first World Series since 2013. There are several attractive options for Mozeliak and company, and if any of the aforementioned names pop up in trade talks, I would be surprised to not see the Cardinals engage in conversations. We’ll see how they play their cards.