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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NEW YORK, NY – JULY 31: Jordan Montgomery #47 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Yankee Stadium on July 31, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 31: Jordan Montgomery #47 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Yankee Stadium on July 31, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /

Trade Grade: B+

The final move that St. Louis made came down to the wire for the club, and involved trading away center fielder Harrison Bader, which was a huge surprise to many people. The price for parting with Bader was worth it though, as the club acquired another good left handed pitcher for their rotation that was in desperate need.

Jordan Montgomery is a good pitcher. Pitching in the best division in baseball, Montgomery has managed to maintain a 3.69 ERA in 114.2 innings of work, and would likely benefit a ton from Busch Stadium and the Cardinal defense. The 29-year old left is someone the club could start in a playoff game this year, which could only be comfortably said about two of the club’s current starters.

Montgomery also provides long term value as well, being under team control for the 2023 season. St. Louis was able to trade away from a position of strength to fill a hole in both their current and future rotation.

Bader was a fan favorite in St. Louis, earning his first Gold Glove in 2021 and providing elite speed and defense for the club that was contagious. But with the emergence of Dylan Carlson in center field, Bader’s injury and still a month away from a return, and impending free agency, he was a clear trade piece if the club could find the right pitcher, and they found that.

Bader will slot in great in the New York outfield and will be missed by Cardinal fans, but Montgomery is far more valuable to the club as this moment that Bader is.