Cardinals: 5 most valuable trade assets this offseason

The Cardinals need to acquire big time talent, and these players could be packaged to improve their roster.

The St. Louis Cardinals are ready to make moves this offseason, with John Mozeliak already identifying catcher, bullpen, and lineup stability, preferably in the form of a left-handed bat. The club is open to upgrading their rotation as well, but with five quality starters already, that would likely mean targeting a front-line starter.

The Cardinals are well positioned in the trade market. Jordan Walker and Maysn Winn appear to be untouchable at this point for St. Louis, and their are a variety of arms in their system that likely will not be dealt with four of the five projected starters this season set to hit free agency or retire after 2023.

Still, the Cardinals have an abundance of young talent that teams would find attractive in trades. Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch said it would be “astonishing” if St. Louis was not active in the trade market this offseason, which makes sense with their need to consolidate talent into bigger names.

Here are the five best trade assets that the Cardinals could deal this offseason. Guys like Walker and Winn will not be on the list, as baring a shocking move, St. Louis will not be dealing those youngsters. This ranking is based on value, not who is most likely to be traded.

#5 – Juan Yepez

Juan Yepez was a key contributor for St. Louis in his rookie season, slashing .253/.296/.447 with 12 HR and 30 RBI in just 76 games played. At just 24-years old, Yepez still has a lot of room to grow as a hitter and should be a valuable bat in major league lineups for years to come.

Like most names on this list, it’s not that the Cardinals wouldn’t like to have Yepez on their club moving forward, but there is not a clear long-term fit. The corner infield positions are locked up and the club has plenty of corner outfield options as well, with Walker surely locking one of them down soon. Yepez is likely going to have to spend most of his time at the club’s primary DH if he sticks around, but I believe its more likely they use him as a piece for a bigger star.

Clubs around baseball would surely value a player like Yepez. He is more of a liability defensively, but could still find time in the field for whoever is interested. The allure of a bat like his that could give for .260-.280 average in his prime with pop should have teams either calling on Yepez or interested in him when the Cardinals target one of their players. Yepez already has a huge postseason moment on his hands as well.

#4 – Matthew Liberatore

Acquired in a deal that sent Randy Arozarena to the Tampa Bay Rays, Matthew Liberatore was heralded as a big time, left-handed pitching prospect who the Cardinals could slide into their rotation for years to come.

Liberatore had a disappointing MLB debut this years, posting a 5.97 ERA in 9 games of work for the Cardinals. His time in Triple-A Memphis was not much better, as his ERA was 5.17 across 22 starts. Still, Liberatore is just 22-years old and sports a repertoire that will lead to success over the next few years.

If it wasn’t for the emergence of other arms like Tink Hence and Gordon Graceffo this year, and a rotation that already has five guys penciled in along with others waiting in the wings, the Cardinals would likely want to hold onto Liberatore even longer. He could spend another year in Memphis or find his way into the Cardinals bullpen or receive spot starts, but it seems more likely that a rebuilding team would value him more that St. Louis at this point.

#3 – Alec Burleson

One of the best players in all of Minor League baseball this last season, Alec Burleson forced his way onto the St. Louis roster after just under two minor league seasons due his major league ready bat.

For Memphis in 2022, Burleson hit .331/.372/.532 with 20 HR and 87 RBI in just 109 games played. He posted an OPS of just .535 for St. Louis this year, but only appeared in 16 games late in the year. Burleson was a part of the Cardinals incredible 2020 draft class, and should be on a Major League roster next year, whether that is with the Cardinals or another organization.

Burleson is running into the same issues as Yepez as far as roster fit. Burleson is an even worse defender than Yepez, so DH really seems to be the best fit for him long-term. The club could end up penciling him in there, but with so many other options on their team and a probable desire to use that spot to rotate players, Burleson could be a huge trade chip for them.

Teams around baseball who are in need of offense could be very interested in Burleson. He will be under team control for six more seasons, giving him immense value for both rebuilding clubs and contenders alike. If the Cardinals make a big move, don’t be surprised to see his name in the deal.

#1 – Nolan Gorman

Nolan Gorman should carry the most value in trade conversations with other clubs, and may be the key piece in getting a major move done for St. Louis.

In just 43 games in Triple-A Memphis this year, Gorman slashed .275/.330/.585 with 16 HR and 26 RBIs, slugging his way all the way to St. Louis. He did not tear it up while he was with the Major League club this year, but he did look good, as at just 22-years old he posted a .721 OPS with 14 HR and 35 RBI.

Gorman has the potential to be a major power bat for years to come. Even after slowing down during his last stretch with St. Louis, the 2B/3B was still on pace for around 26 HR in a 162 game season, and did hit 30 HR across the two levels in just 132 games. Gorman can change the game with one swing of the bat, and it’s not fair to assume he’ll continue to have the same struggles he did this last year.

Gorman’s high strikeout rate is concerning, and he is not a natural fit at second base. But neither of those things should prevent him from being on the Cardinals roster in 2023 if they see him as a major bat in their lineup moving forward. The reason he ranks number 1 here is that his bat could be the key to getting a star at a different position of need, and the club has options at every other position he’d fill.

Brendan Donovan deserves to be starting everyday and could easily slot in at second base. Gorman could be the main DH, but the club has options there as well, and it’s probably not the best use of their resources to not play him everyday in this stage of his development. Could he transition to a corner outfield spot? Sure, but again, the club has an abundance there unless they trade from that depth.

Gorman appears to be the most valuable piece that the Cardinals have that they could send in a deal this offseason. If it means bringing in a star catcher, front line starter, or guaranteed impact bat, it could for sure be worth it. If the right deal is not there though, Gorman should take steps forward in his development and be a major contributor in 2023.