4 ways the St. Louis Cardinals can win the trade deadline

John Mozeliak addresses the media at a press conference at Busch Stadium on December 3, 2014 in St. Louis Missouri. (Photo by Taka Yanagimoto/St. Louis Cardinals Archive)
John Mozeliak addresses the media at a press conference at Busch Stadium on December 3, 2014 in St. Louis Missouri. (Photo by Taka Yanagimoto/St. Louis Cardinals Archive) /
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BOSTON, MA – APRIL 11: Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox is tagged out by Danny Jensen #9 of the Toronto Blue Jays as he attempts to tag up during the fifth inning of a game on April 11, 2019 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 11: Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox is tagged out by Danny Jensen #9 of the Toronto Blue Jays as he attempts to tag up during the fifth inning of a game on April 11, 2019 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

Trade for Blue Jays Catcher Danny Jensen

The St. Louis Cardinals rank 25th in baseball with a -1.3 WAR from the catcher position and 28th in OPS sitting at .514. Even with the return of Yadier Molina in August, it is clear they need a different option outside of Andrew Knizner, Austin Romine, and Ivan Herrera. None of those three should touch a postseason field in 2022.

Enter Blue Jays catcher Danny Jensen. Jensen is the backup to AL All-Star starting catcher Alejandro Kirk, and has the #6 prospect in all of baseball Gabriel Moreno nipping at his heels. Jensen has only received 59 AB this season but has a .902 OPS, with his career OPS sitting at .709. Even just his career average would be a huge upgrade for the Cardinals, and would not cost a ton of value for the club.

With the Blue Jays likely looking to add significant talent, they would probably welcome a deal that bolsters their farm system a bit in exchange for their surplus catcher. Arms like Johan Oviedo, Junior Fernandez, or prospects such as Connor Thomas and Edwin Nunez could appeal to Toronto.

If the Cardinals are able to grab Jensen, he can take on the bulk of catching duties and allow Molina to play as needed down the stretch. Jensen is not known for his on base skills but would provide significant power from the catcher spot, a welcomed upgrade for St. Louis.