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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ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 20: Noah Syndergaard #34 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches in the third inning against the Kansas City Royals at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 20, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 20: Noah Syndergaard #34 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches in the third inning against the Kansas City Royals at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 20, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Acquire Angels Starter Noah Syndergaard

One of the rumored targets for St. Louis during the offseason, Noah Syndergaard signed a one year prove it deal with the Los Angeles Angels. Although he has struggled for the fading Angels this season, there is reason to believe the Cardinals could help him make some adjustments to be an elite arm down the stretch.

While sporting a 5-7 record with an 4.00 ERA this season, two of the pitches that the right hander throws the most have been very hittable this season. According to Baseball Savant, hitters have a .311 average against Syndergaard’s fastball, which he throws 20.2% of the time, and .320 average against his change up, which is thrown 23.6% of the time. In contrast, hitters hit .167 off of his sinker, which he throws 27.1% of the time, .200 off of his slider, thrown 20.2%, and .143 on his curveball, which is just 9% of his pitches.

Similar to adjustments pitchers Luis Garcia, Jon Lester, J.A. Happ, and Wade LeBlanc last season, if the Cardinals can acquire Syndergaard and have him throw less fastballs and change ups while increasing his sinker, slider, and curveball usage, there is a strong reason to believe the righty will be the outstanding arm the club needs right now.

The Angels would love to replenish their farm system as they look ahead to 2023, so a package centered around one of Alec Burleson, Michael McGreevy, Joshua Baez, or Alec Willis could be a good base for a deal for Thor.