Cardinals Trade Target: Why Jose Quintana Makes Sense for St. Louis

Quintana won’t require trading top prospects

If the Luis Castillo trade has taught us anything, front line pitching is going to cost a premium at this year’s trade deadline. MLB Pipeline tweeted out the package, and it’s a steep cost.

For comparison, if the Cardinals made that same trade, it would have likely cost them Matthew Liberatore, Maysn Winn, Michael McGreevy, and Jonathan Mejia, which most fans would probably spit their water out just looking at that potential package.

Frankie Montas and Pablo Lopez will likely require similar packages, and if that means parting with multiple of St. Louis’ top prospects, I am not sure it is worth the deals. Pitchers like Noah Syndergaard and Zach Plesac would be more affordable for sure, so St. Louis could surely play in those waters.

Quintana, on the other hand, at best would require one of the Cardinals’ better, but not best prospects. Alec Burleson could be in play here, but even that is probably more than the Pirates could ask in return for a guy like Quintana. I think a two prospect package, with a safer prospect and a high risk, high reward guy from the lower end of the Cardinals’ top 30 prospects could get the deal done.

So, if St. Louis wants quality pitching and to retain their best prospects, a guy like Quintana would be a huge get. But if you’re expecting bigger names to be added to the rotation, be ready to lose some of your favorite prospects.