Cardinals Rumors: St. Louis to explore potential Noah Syndergaard trade

The St. Louis Cardinals are planning to explore a potential trade for Los Angeles Angels ace Noah Syndergaard. But there are hurdles.

The St. Louis Cardinals want to acquire one, perhaps two, starting pitchers before the Aug. 2 trade deadline. They have started making calls to assess the market and figure out what it will take to acquire certain starters.

One of them will be Los Angeles Angels right-hander Noah Syndergaard, with Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch saying that the Cardinals intend to explore a potential match.

Syndergaard, of course, is a big name who would instantly slot atop the Cardinals’ rotation alongside Adam Wainwright and Jack Flaherty (when healthy). He has struggled a bit this season, posting a 4.00 ERA in 74.1 innings pitched, and has a 58/20 strikeout-to-walk ratio. But his past track record as a bonafide ace, as well as the upside, makes him a worthwhile gamble.

What could get in the way of Syndergaard, 29, coming to St. Louis is the potential asking price. While it is unclear what the Angels are seeking in return, they are surely going to command a decent haul for a player they signed to a one-year, $21 million contract this past winter. And considering their past rotation issues, they have every reason to want to hold onto Syndergaard to have the first chance at signing him to a long-term deal this winter.

But it’s worth placing a call to the Angels to see just what it will take to acquire Syndergaard. But it appears that the Cardinals are shopping in a more expensive aisle this season than last season when they acquired Jon Lester and J.A. Happ. They have identified a meaningful rotation piece as a key need and the fact that they will call on Syndergaard, among others, suggests that stance.

Nothing is close at this time. But it would be a stunner if the Cardinals didn’t have at least one new starting pitcher after Aug. 2.