St. Louis Cardinals: Steven Matz Injury May End Juan Soto Pursuit

Patrick Corbin could help hold the club over

Although the club’s plans were to acquire a higher level arm, with a generational talent on the market, it makes sense to reconsider those plans.

If St. Louis is still interested in adding Soto, there is three ways they could patch together their rotation needs down the stretch.

The first is take back Patrick Corbin’s contract in the trade for Soto. Corbin has fallen from his status as one of the better pitchers in the game this year, sporting a 6.02 ERA in 20 starts for the Nationals. His contract is perhaps the worst in all of baseball, and is rumored to be attached to Soto in any trade.

The club can hope that their elite defense and pitching for a contender has a similar impact on Corbin as it did Lester and Happ. If so, Corbin could at least give them innings for a month or so while other arms regain health.

The second option would be acquiring another low level arm like Lester or Happ along with Soto at the deadline. If they add the superstar outfielder, lowering their sights for that additional starter makes a lot of sense.

The third option would be take back Corbin’s contract and acquire one more arm, likely that smaller name, to get by down the stretch. I find it very unlikely the Cardinals would part with most of their top prospects to bring in only two names at the deadline, but Soto, Corbin, and a low level arm could make sense.