Moises Gomez could be a trade chip for St. Louis
With all of the outfielders already vying for playing time in St. Louis in 2023, Moises Gomez’s most direct path to having an impact for the Cardinals next season may be by being in a package to acquire talent for them.
Gomez won’t be the center piece of a major trade, but getting the minor league home run leader as a piece in a package would be an appealing move for any rebuilding club, or even a team looking to replenish their system while contending. The Oakland Athletics would surely like the idea of a masher at the plate with six years of team control in a Sean Murphy package. Gomez plays in the mold of a corner outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays, so maybe he is a part of a deal for one of their catchers. The Cleveland Guardians, Miami Marlins, or a reunion with the Tampa Bay Rays could all be in the cards.
If St. Louis does not plan on seeing Gomez in the Majors next season, they should capitalize on this value now then. It will likely never be higher than it is right now unless he is turning into a true slugger, so he better be a future Cardinal outfielder or sent in a trade to another club by Spring Training.
Whatever the Cardinals decide, they need to make sure they let Gomez be an impact for them in 2023, one way or another.