4 potential blockbuster trades for the St. Louis Cardinals

Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Indians hits in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on September 29, 2021, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Indians hits in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on September 29, 2021, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Chicago White Sox prepares to pitch in the eighth inning during game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros at Guaranteed Rate Field on October 10, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Chicago White Sox prepares to pitch in the eighth inning during game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros at Guaranteed Rate Field on October 10, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Craig Kimbrel

Cardinals Receive: RP Craig Kimbrel

White Sox Receive: SS Maysn Winn (#5 prospect) and RHP Austin Love (#15 prospect)

The Cardinals have a lot of uncertainty in their bullpen, and acquiring an arm like Craig Kimbrel could solve that issue.

After two straight down years in the North Side of Chicago, Craig Kimbrel found himself rejuvenated while playing for both the Cubs and White Sox in 2021. Kimbrel had an ERA of 2.26 across 59.2 innings for the ballclubs, serving as the Cubs closer and then the White Sox set-up man. Kimbrel did struggle more as a member of the White Sox, and that may be attributed to a mid season role change. Kimbrel is under contract for $16 million this year, and the South Side just brought in Joe Kelly on a two year deal.

There are rumors that the White Sox are willing to deal their set-up man, and may be drawn to acquiring a high upside prospect in Maysn Winn who has the potential to be a great short stop or reliever, and future bullpen help in Austin Love. For the Cardinals, parting with these two prospects would be painful, but would bring in a high level bullpen arm that the club desperately needs.