4 potential blockbuster trades for the St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals have been known to make big swings, i.e. Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado, who could the club look to make a big splash for in 2022?

Over the last few seasons, the St. Louis Cardinals have been players in the trade market, acquiring Paul Goldschmidt prior to the 2019 season and Nolan Arenado leading up to 2021. Over the last week, big names like Matt Olsen, Matt Chapman, and Jesse Winker have all swapped teams, and there are other names sitting out there on the market.

If John Mozeliak is interested in bolstering the club in a big way, looking at some of the stars available on the trade market would be the way to do it. It may be unlikely that the team makes one of these deals, but recent history cannot rule it out. Here are a few trades that the club should look into before the regular season begins.

Jose Ramirez

Cardinals Receive: INF Jose Ramirez 

Guardians Receive: SS Paul Dejong, 3B Jordan Walker (#2 prospect), LHP Zach Thompson (#6 prospect), OF Alec Burleson (#14 prospect)

Starting out with a bang here, Guardians INF Jose Ramirez is one of the hottest names on the market right now. Cleveland is in no rush to move him, but given the right package, the team would be willing to move him.

This would be a huge swing for the Cardinals, but it can be argued that the club would be World Series contenders if they made the deal. Jose Ramirez batted .266/.355/.538 with 32 HRs, 32 doubles, 103 RBIs, and 27 SB across 152 games. As a switch hitter, Ramirez brings power from both sides of the plate and another elite hitter to an already strong lineup. He can step in at second base and allow Edman to shift to shortstop, and could give the club this potential line:

2B Jose Ramirez

1B Paul Goldschmidt

LF Tyler O’Neill

3B Nolan Arenado

RF Dylan Carlson

DH Nolan Gorman/Juan Yepez

CF Harrison Bader

C Yadier Molina

SS Tommy Edman

Jose Ramirez is under team control for $12 million and $14 million the next two seasons, and provides flexibility, being able to play any of the four infield positions.

This trade comes at a price though, as the Cardinals would part ways with rising prospect Jordan Walker, who at this rate will be at top 10 prospect in baseball by years end. Paul Dejong gives the Guardians a solid shortstop to compete with or to deal for additional prospects later. Guys like Zack Thompson and Alec Burleson gives Cleveland other future quality big leaguers to accelerate their rebuild.

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.

Frankie Montas

Cardinals Receive: RHP Frankie Montas

Athletics Receive: RHP Alex Reyes, OF Joshua Baez (#6 prospect)

Frankie Montas really emerged as a high level starter for the Oakland Athletics in 2021, posting an ERA of 3.37 across 187 innngs of work. With one year left on his contract, it is very likely that the club would want to move him for prospects and young talent.

Montas would provide the Cardinals a high level, dependable arm that can pair with Wainwright, Hudson, Matz, and Mikolas, and hopefully a healthy Jack Flaherty. Montas provides the Cardinals with a high strike out starter that they do not currently have.

The A’s gain a high-risk, high-reward of arm in Alex Reyes, who has shown flashes of being a dominate reliever or starter in this league, but has struggled with injuries and consistency. OF Joshua Baez is another high risk, high reward prospect, who has huge raw power, and could be a plug hitter if it all comes together.