Grading the St. Louis Cardinals trade deadline moves

Harrison Bader #48 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates with Edmundo Sosa #63 after the final out in a 13-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates during the game at PNC Park on August 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
Harrison Bader #48 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates with Edmundo Sosa #63 after the final out in a 13-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates during the game at PNC Park on August 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 22: JoJo Romero #79 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action against the Chicago Cubs during a game at Citizens Bank Park on July 22, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 22: JoJo Romero #79 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action against the Chicago Cubs during a game at Citizens Bank Park on July 22, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Trade Grade: C+

The first deal the Cardinals made was pretty small, acquiring project left handed reliver JoJo Romero from the Phillies for backup infielder Edmundo Sosa.

Sosa’s likelihood of being dealt increased throughout the year as Brendan Donovan impressed in his rookie season, and Paul DeJong appeared ready to rejoin the MLB club. Capitalizing on any interest that a team had for Sosa was crucial, as the only other option was to DFA the 26-year old.

Romero is only 25-years old and has legit stuff out of the pen, but has struggled with injuries and has not put it together in his 21.2 career innings at the major league level. Getting another left handed reliever with many years of team control for a player who was going to be let go anyways gives St. Louis an above average grade for the deal. Even if Romero does not pan out, it basically cost the club nothing.

Sosa was given a chance to win the shortstop job entering the 2022 season, yet slashed .189/.244/.270 with 0 HR and 8 RBI in 131 PA for St. Louis. Sosa provided great speed and pretty good defense off the bench for St. Louis, but the club had plenty of other internal options that would provide more for them this season.

This trade could turn out to be a great one if Romero finds his stride in St. Louis, or be a bit of a dud if he never makes it and Sosa finds his bat again. For now, the Cardinals did pretty well here.