10 realistic trade options for the Cardinals at the deadline

Major League Baseball's trade deadline falls on July 30th this year. That's 10 days away. Teams in contention are frantically searching for additions to get them over the hump, fringe teams are taking these last few days to get a better idea of their direction on the season, and sellers are licking their chops at the potential returns for their players.

The St. Louis Cardinals, as of now, fall into the first category. They are in sole possession of the second Wild Card spot, and a hot seven weeks has given them hope for the second half of the season. Therefore, we as fans can fully expect the team to add key pieces at the deadline this year. The Cardinals, in a perfect world, would acquire a high-leverage reliever, a right-handed hitting outfielder, and a mid-level or higher starting pitcher.

With the Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers, and Los Angeles Dodgers showing cracks and vulnerabilities, the right moves this deadline can vault the Cardinals into the top of the National League standings.

The team will likely be priced out of players like Garrett Crochet, Luis Robert Jr., Jazz Chisholm, and Mason Miller. These four players are probably the best who are on the trade block this deadline, and the Cardinals won't be able to match the prospect packages that teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Baltimore Orioles, and San Diego Padres could put together. It's also not John Mozeliak's tendency to make big swings at the deadline.

Rather than focusing on the highest level of trade candidates, Mozeliak can still find plenty of quality players in the next tier. This selection of players won't cost as much in player capital, and they'll still provide quality performances for the team. I've identified relievers, outfielders, and starters that fit a need for the Cardinals and are within their budget. They are in no particular order.

The guys at the Dealin' the Cards podcast recently identified 10 trade candidates. I'll double up on some of theirs, but I'll also identify some different options. You can watch their video below.

Here are 10 realistic trade options that the St. Louis Cardinals can target this deadline.

RHP Zach Eflin

If I had my way, I would make a serious push for Tampa Bay Rays' starter Zach Eflin. Eflin, 30, was signed by the Tampa Bay Rays prior to the 2023 season to the largest contract in franchise history for a free agent. He's been quite reliable for the Rays, especially this year given the fact that most of their projected rotation went down with injuries.

Eflin has a 3.73 ERA over his tenure with the Rays, and while his ERA this year (4.19) is a bit elevated, he's been quite steady after a tough start to the 2024 campaign. What makes Eflin truly dominant is his ability to limit walks. He has a league-best 0.8 BBs per nine innings, and his 2.1% walk rate is enviable. He is only striking out 18.7% of batters he faces, but he's been in the mid-20s in strikeout percentage for his career.

Eflin's 3.77 FIP indicates that he could be a candidate for regression in the second half. He's not your typical dominant starting pitcher in the sense that he doesn't boast a wipeout pitch. His sweeper is his best pitch according to Baseball Savant's run value calculations, and the Cardinals have been seeking pitchers who feature a sweeper all year.

The Rays recently traded starting pitcher Aaron Civale to the Brewers, and they received Milwaukee's #21 prospect in exchange. Civale isn't as good of a pitcher as Eflin is this year, but he's noticeably cheaper than Zach. Eflin's salary increases to $18 million next year while Civale will enter his final year of arbitration. This discrepancy in salary should balance out the cost of the two.

RHP Cal Quantrill

Whenever a pitcher is pitching well in Colorado, he's sure to be strong in other ballparks, particularly ones that suppress offense like Busch Stadium does. Cal Quantrill is exactly that pitcher.

The 29-year-old right-hander has a 4.13 ERA, 4.76 FIP, and an ERA+ of 111 in 102.1 innings spread across 19 starts. Quantrill isn't striking out an exorbitant amount of batters (6.9 per nine innings and a 15.8% K rate), but he's been excellent at keeping the ball on the ground. He has a 46.4% ground ball rate which is 3 points higher than league average.

Quantrill's split-finger fastball and curveball are his two best pitches. Hitters are only barreling the ball off of him at a 6.1% rate, placing him in the 74th percentile among pitchers. Quantrill has allowed more runs on the road than he has at home, but his strikeout rate, walk rate, and WHIP are all better on the road.

Quantrill will be a free agent at the end of the season. He was available to all teams this past offseason when the Cleveland Guardians designated him for assignment, and the Colorado Rockies took a flier on him with one year left of control.

Due to his limited team control, Quantrill won't be an expensive rental pitcher. John Mozeliak may be searching for a pitcher this deadline with more team control, so he doesn't have to rebuild an entire rotation again this offseason. However, Quantrill would be a strong middle-of-the-rotation arm. The Cardinals could part with a prospect in their 10-15 range and get the job done.

LHP Yusei Kikuchi

Like Cal Quantrill, Yusei Kikuchi will be a free agent at the end of the season. His three-year, $36-million deal that he signed with the Blue Jays comes to a close at the end of this season. He's still owed about $4 million for the rest of this year.

Kikuchi's name has been growing in interest as the Toronto Blue Jays have continued to fade in playoff contention. While the Jays aren't expected to send away players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr or Bo Bichette, their ancillary players with expiring contracts are predicted to be traded.

Kikuchi sports a 4.42 ERA, 3.68 FIP, and a 1.302 WHIP on the season, good for a 91 ERA+. Where Kikuchi falls off compared to his counterparts would be his struggles with the home run. He's allowing 1.4 home runs per nine innings this year, but his career average is 1.6. Kikuchi allows loud contact, as he has a 10.5% barrel rate and a 45.1% hard-hit rate, both in the 9th percentile in the league.

However, the southpaw has struck out 26% of batters he's faced, and he's walked just 5.8% of them. Both of those values would be welcome on a Cardinals staff that has been trying to find strikeouts for a few years now. Kikuchi's fastball velocity averages 95.6 MPH, something else the Cardinals haven't had for years out of a starting pitcher.

Kikuchi's contract is up at the end of the season; his impending free agency will lessen his trade value. He, too, would likely cost a prospect around the #10 slot from the Cardinals. This trade would be swallowable for the organization, and Kikuchi would fill a number of holes out of the starting rotation for the team.

OF/DH Brent Rooker

An acquisition of Brent Rooker has grown on me. When Jeff Passan initially listed him as a good fit for the Cardinals a month ago (subscription required), I was skeptical. His positional limitations paired with a primary role as a designated hitter would pigeonhole the Cardinals with their lineups, something Oli Marmol isn't keen to typically.

However, as time has passed -- and as Rooker has continued to rake -- I've warmed up to the idea of acquiring the right-handed masher from Oakland.

Rooker, 29, got a late start in the majors. He debuted as a 25-year-old in 2020 with the Minnesota Twins. He has played for the Twins, Padres, Royals, and now the Athletics. It took him until last year to flourish on the offensive side of the game, and he's taken it to a new level in 2024. This year, Rooker is slashing .291/.369/.573 for an OPS of .942 and an OPS+ of 169. He has hit 21 home runs, brought in 62 runners, and he's even stolen five bases.

Brent Rooker does a good job at drawing walks (10.5%), but he strikes out quite often (34.8%). On the defensive side, he struggles. He's played the bulk of his games as a designated hitter, but in 102 innings in the outfield, he's been worth -3 outs above average, -2 defensive runs saved, and his ultimate zone rating is -0.5. Rooker should be employed primarily as the team's DH, but he could find some spare innings in the outfield. Michael Siani, Lars Nootbaar, and Brendan Donovan are all plus outfielders, so they can help cover the weaker Rooker.

Rooker jumps into arbitration next year, so he isn't a free agent until 2028. His offensive prowess paired with his team control will make him a costly entity. The Cardinals will have to part with one major league regular (Nolan Gorman, Alec Burleson, or even Lars Nootbaar) plus a prospect that they may covet to land Rooker. The A's aren't looking to contend anytime soon, so the more team control on the player in exchange, the better.

OF Kevin Pillar

Kevin Pillar fits the rumored right-handed outfielder who can play some center field if needed as well. He's a veteran of the game, as he just hit his 10-year service time mark, and he's been strong defensively. Pillar has also seen an offensive resurgence this year since joining the Los Angeles Angels.

Pillar was a non-factor with the Chicago White Sox to start the season, but he's now slashing .288/.340/.488 for an OPS+ of 127 with the Angels in 45 games (150 plate appearances). He's only striking out 18.1% of the time, but his walk rate of 5.5% is paltry. Pillar has been a regular for the Angels, but he would likely be relegated to a bench role with the Cardinals, especially given their already crowded outfield.

Defensively, Pillar has taken a step back this year compared to previous years where he was well above average according to outs above average. Pillar has been a negative defender (-2) according to outs above average since joining the A's. He sits at -1 on the year. Defensive runs saved isn't very optimistic on his defense either, as he grades out at -4 there.

Pillar is a free agent at the end of the year, he's 35, and his performance in Los Angeles could be a facade. Luckily, he won't have to play every day in St. Louis. He still has ample speed (84th percentile sprint speed), and he's serviceable across the outfield. Even if his OPS drops to the .700 range, he still provides plenty of value off the bench for St. Louis. He won't cost much in return, and he would provide exactly what the Cardinals are looking for.

The issue is that acquiring Kevin Pillar isn't a sexy trade by any means. Perhaps he could be paired with another player on the Angels...

RHP Carlos Estevez

Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian has done few things well these past few years. One of the best things he's done in free agency recently was signing reliever Carlos Estevez to a two-year deal prior to the 2023 season. It's paid off quite handsomely for the Halos.

In his two seasons in Los Angeles, Estevez has thrown 93.1 innings, recorded 48 saves, and he has a 3.47 ERA, 3.57 FIP, and a 1.254 WHIP. His 128 ERA+ is one of the best among relievers in this time. Estevez has been the primary closer for the Angels, and he would slot in nicely to the back of the bullpen for the Cardinals. Estevez would be able to relieve Andrew Kittredge and Ryan Helsley on some nights.

Estevez is split-proof; righties are hitting .185 with an OPS of .548 against him, and lefties are hitting .182 with an OPS of .497. Estevez can be employed in either situation with relative confidence by manager Oli Marmol. Estevez's best pitch is his 4-seam fastball, as it averages 96.4 MPH with a 27.4% whiff rate on it. He's striking out batters 27.2% of the time, and his microscopic 3.5% walk rate is enviable.

Estevez is a true rental; he'll be a free agent at the end of the season. However, relievers may not come cheap this year, as is evidenced by the Royals' package to acquire reliever Hunter Harvey from the Washington Nationals. The Cardinals could skate by with a couple of prospects; one could be near #10 in the organization with another throw-in guy lower on the prospect list.

RHP Michael Kopech

Michael Kopech of the Chicago White Sox is another high-leverage reliever who will be enticing to plenty of teams. The White Sox are in a full-scale fire sale this year, and they should try and squeeze whatever value their players have in order to start a rebuild. With players like Luis Robert Jr., Garrett Crochet, and Erick Fedde likely gone, they can garner quite the haul of prospects.

Right-handed reliever Michael Kopech wouldn't net the Southsiders a top-100 prospect, but he provides little to no value to the team long-term. Therefore, he'll likely be traded this deadline as well in order to recoup some value. Kopech has one more year of arbitration before becoming a free agent in 2026. The 28-year-old has spent his entire career with the Chicago White Sox.

This year, Kopech has been the team's primary reliever. He has thrown 41 innings, recorded 9 saves, and he is striking out 12.3 batters per nine innings. The issue for Kopech, however, has been his general inability to limit runs. He has a 5.05 ERA and a 5.02 FIP. He's walking nearly 13% of batters he faces, and hitters are barreling up his pitches at a 12.4% clip, placing him in the 2nd percentile.

Kopech has one more year of arbitration, but his high ERA should lower his value a bit. The Cardinals may be able to skate by with a low-end major leaguer, a AAA player who is nearing the end of his prospect line, or a mid-tier prospect in the organization in a trade for the reliever. Honestly, reliever value is hard to determine at this point in the deadline saga.

LHP Tanner Scott

The Miami Marlins are one of the few teams who are guaranteed to sell this year. After losing the bulk of their starting rotation and seeing ownership being unwilling to spend, the team's fortunes were decided early on. The Marlins have yet to make any major trades this year, but they have plenty of valuable assets to trade including Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jesus Luzardo.

Their closer, Tanner Scott, is also likely to be traded according to multiple outlets. Scott will turn 30 on July 22nd, and he is a free agent at the end of the year. Scott being a southpaw will once again provide Oliver Marmol with another high-leverage reliever to give JoJo Romero a break every once in a while.

Scott has recorded 14 saves this year, and he has a sterling 1.34 ERA in 40.1 innings. His 3.44 FIP indicates some good luck, but he's been quite dominant at the back of the bullpen for Miami. He has a 1.066 WHIP, and he's striking out 10 batters per nine innings. The lone issue for the lefty has been walks. He's in the first percentile in all of baseball with a walk rate of 15.3%; his volatility late in games has been his downfall at times.

Scott's fastball tops out near 99 MPH, and his Baseball Savant page is dripping in red. He will no doubt be a hot commodity this trade season. Due to his utter dominance late in games and the vast array of teams always searching for bullpen help this time of year, Scott will be pricey. He's an impending free agent so that dampens his price slightly. The Cardinals will be bidding against 8-10 other teams for Scott's services, so John Mozeliak may have to pony up to get one of the best relievers on the market.

RHP Kyle Finnegan

Kyle Finnegan was Ryan Helsley's replacement at this year's All-Star Game, and he was deserving of the nod. The Washington Nationals' closer has been fantastic late in games, and he will likely be available this deadline. With the trade of Hunter Harvey paired with their huge win-loss deficit, the Nationals will be selling off players in order to boost their roster for the near future. Young players like CJ Abrams, James Wood, and MacKenzie Gore are already producing for the Nats, and they'll want to capitalize on any players with trade value this deadline.

Finnegan has accumulated 25 saves this year. He sports a 2.45 ERA, a 3.98 FIP, and a 1.017 WHIP. He's done well at limiting hits and home runs this year, and his walk rate of 8.1% is right about league average. Finnegan's fastball is by far his best pitch, as it has a seven-run value and it sits at 97.2 MPH. Hitters do generate hard contact against Finnegan, and he's allowing fly balls and line drives at rates greater than league average.

Oli Marmol can insert Kyle Finnegan with relative confidence in the back of his bullpen. Hitters are slashing .179/.273/.313 against the 32-year-old reliever in high-leverage situations, and he's been ever better in medium-leverage situations (.118/.189/.235). Regardless of where he appears late in games, Finnegan will be effective in a bullpen that is in need of replenishments.

Finnegan, like his former teammate Hunter Harvey, isn't a free agent until 2026. The Nationals received the Royals' compensatory pick and their #4 overall prospect. I don't see the Cardinals trading away draft picks, but they may have to trade away a covetable prospect to land the right-handed reliever from the Nationals.