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

By Cameron Neisler

MESA, AZ - FEBRUARY 20: Matt Chapman #26 of the Oakland Athletics poses for a portrait at the Oakland Athletics Spring Training Facility at Hohokam Stadium on February 20, 2020 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images)
MESA, AZ - FEBRUARY 20: Matt Chapman #26 of the Oakland Athletics poses for a portrait at the Oakland Athletics Spring Training Facility at Hohokam Stadium on February 20, 2020 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JULY 06: Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers looks on against the Minnesota Twins on July 6, 2019 at the Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Rangers 7-4. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JULY 06: Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers looks on against the Minnesota Twins on July 6, 2019 at the Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Rangers 7-4. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /

Trade 2: Joey Gallo

Much like the aforementioned Castellanos, Joey Gallo is an absolute slugger. The 26-year old outfielder had a very productive 2019 campaign where he posted a solid .253/.389/.598 slash line, while also exhibiting a well above average 144 wRC+, .986 OPS, and .401 wOBA.

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Since 2017, Gallo’s value has been really solid. Accumulating an fWAR of 8.7, the Texas Rangers have been able to heavily rely on Gallo for much of their offensive production. No matter what offensive stat or metric you look at, whether it be WAR, wRC+, OPS, wOBA, HR, RBI, or hits, you will find the name Joey Gallo either at the very top or among the top five for each leaderboard.

Sure, the Rangers weren’t the greatest team in 2019 as they finished 3rd in the AL West with a losing record of 78-84, but his impact is impressive nonetheless.

Gallo’s role as a Cardinal might be similar to that of Castellanos. But in contrast, Gallo is definitely a much better defender so he would probably be able to beat out Tyler O’Neill or Dexter Fowler as either the everyday left or right fielder. Gallo’s defensive numbers still aren’t considered great, but his 5.2 UZR, 5 DRS, and 1 OAA  are surely better than what St. Louis would get from O’Neill or Fowler.

It shouldn’t go unnoticed with Gallo either that if he became an everyday outfielder, the hypothetical of O’Neill being the DH for St. Louis is very attractive.

Whether the Cardinals would use Gallo as an everyday outfielder or as a DH, his offensive production could end up providing St. Louis with enough support to help lead the club to an even deeper Postseason run than they had in 2019.

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