1 player the St. Louis Cardinals should steal from each division rival

Now that the lockout is over, here is one player the St. Louis Cardinals should steal from each National League Central team via trade.

The St. Louis Cardinals are never very big into the trade market. While the club did get Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado via the trade market, trading is just not team owner Bill DeWitt or president of baseball operations John Mozeliak’s style.

So it’s just fun to consider possible players they could attempt to get via trade.

In my version of this game, players with larger contracts would not be considered nor would players whose attitudes or actions do not mix with the current team. There are some players with ridiculously large contracts. There are players whose influence you just do not want around our younger team members.

With these considerations in mind, I’ll check one player from each of the NL Central teams I would love to see the Cardinals trade for. This does include the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, and Pittsburgh Pirates.

These teams do not seem to have set line-ups like the Cardinals. Due to trades during previous seasons or losing players to the free-agent market, these clubs will be actually trading or scouring the free-agent market to fill their needs.

The Cardinals appear set at third base, first base, catcher, and all three outfield positions. While the positions seem set, there could always be some piece moving involving the middle infield. Starting and relief pitching could see some tinkering as well.

Let’s take a look at who we would like to see the Cardinals get via trade from teams in the NL Central.

Chicago Cubs: Kyle Hendricks

The Chicago Cubs traded away several key pieces to the club at the trade deadline. The club got a lot of young talent in those moves. The one remaining veteran player who has some intriguing is Kyle Hendricks.

At 32, Hendricks is in the middle of a four-year contract worth $55.5 million through 2023. He does have a vesting option in 2024.

Hendricks was 14-7 in 32 games pitched in 2022. He threw 181 innings, one complete game, and 131 strikeouts. He gave up 96 earned runs with 200 hits. This is partially due to the subpar defense surrounding  Hendricks with the Cubs.

Imagine how his numbers would improve with a Gold Glove-caliber defense behind him.

Hendricks primarily uses his sinker, curveball, and change-up. Hendrick’s four-seam fastball is his put-away pitch. While the pitches work for him, it would be interesting to see how that could change working with pitching coach Mike Maddux and catcher Yadier Molina. This duo generally likes to see a pitcher move those more off-speed pitches to a more sparing use and rely on a Gold Glove defense to get outs.

It would be incredibly doubtful to see the Cubs trade their ace to the Cardinals. But it’s a fun thought.

Cincinnati Reds: Jonathan India

Cincinnati Reds’ second baseman Jonathan India is the most intriguing player on the club’s roster. He had an incredible rookie season and, while arbitration-eligible this season, he won’t be a free agent until 2027.

India was a finalist for the Rawlings Gold Glove award at second base. The honor did ultimately go to St. Louis Cardinal second baseman Tommy Edman.

India hit .269/.376/.459 with a +122 wRC. He had 21 homers and 69 RBI. He did walk 71 times and got hit by a pitch to get on base 23 times. Unfortunately, he had 141 strikeouts, grounded into 13 double plays, and was caught stealing three times. He was a rookie and has a lot of growth potential, though.

While India would be an amazing target to get via trade for the Cardinals, it is very unlikely this one would happen. India has the potential to be a beloved member of the Reds for years to come. It would be hard to imagine a situation where to Reds move him. Especially to the Cardinals.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Bryan Reynolds

It’s pretty amazing that the Pittsburgh Pirates have held on to outfielder Bryan Reynolds, 27, for so long. Are they trying to build something around him? Maybe so.

In 159 games in 2021, Reynolds, a switch hitter,  hit .302/.390/.522 with a +142 wRC, 24 home runs, and an impressive K-rate of 18.4%. He is definitely a hitter you’d like to see in your line up and not one you want to see from the opponent standpoint. He’d be an impressive option at designated hitter, too.

Defensively, Reynolds can play any outfield position with a fielding position of .994.

Reynolds is a part of a young core the Pirates have along with third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes. It will be curious to see how long the Pirates keep Reynolds and what their plans for him will be as the season moves along.

The Pirates could build around Reynolds. Do they believe they could do this or be better served flipping him for pitching? It will be curious to see if they move him prior to the start of spring camp or at the trade deadline.

The Cardinals have a young, loaded outfield but Reynolds has an impressive bat you’d love to see.