Cardinals: These are the best trade partners this off-season

Aug 4, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak reacts in the dugout before the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Cardinals at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 4, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak reacts in the dugout before the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Cardinals at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 02: Pablo Lopez #49 of the Miami Marlins throws a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on October 02, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 02: Pablo Lopez #49 of the Miami Marlins throws a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on October 02, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /

Miami Marlins

Similar to the Toronto Blue Jays, the Miami Marlins are motivated to improve going into the 2023 season, and have a need for a brand new center fielder that the Cardinals have for them. Unlike the Blue Jays, the Cardinals will not be looking for a catcher upgrade for Miami, but rather, a front-line stater.

The most talked about starter from the Marlins has been 26-year old Pablo Lopez, who has the stuff to be at the top of the Cardinals rotation and appears to be someone that Miami is willing to move off of. While this should be the Cardinals primary target on Miami, there is another route that St. Louis could go.

And no, that name is not Sandy Alcantara. The Marlins are not going to move the former-Cardinals prospect unless they get an absolute haul of a package. And even then, it is extremely unlikely. What may actually be an interesting fit for the clubs would be some of Miami’s top prospects.

The Marlins have one of the best farm systems in baseball when it comes to young pitching. Eury Perez and Max Meyer are top 100 prospects according to MLB.com, and look to be front-line starters for Miami. Other arms like Sixto Sanchez, Jake Eder, and Dax Fulton would be intriguing targets as well. If the Cardinals are willing to part with the likes of Carlson or Nootbaar and some other hitters, this could really happen.