3 teams the Cardinals could trade with for pitching this offseason

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For the Cardinals, the offseason can't come soon enough. Fortunately, the nightmare that was the 2023 season is now behind us.

But as the offseason approaches, Cardinals fans can only hope that some change is coming.

It's obvious that the Cardinals need pitching for both their rotation and bullpen. The rotation will likely take precedence, as the Cards only have two starters under contract for 2024 and 2025, those being Steven Matz and Miles Mikolas.

Three starters are needed from outside the organization. That could come via trade or free agency. In my view, the bulk of it needs to come in free agency. The Cardinals have the money to spend, and it's time they flexed that payroll muscle and put an end to the half-measures.

But some of it will likely need to be done via trade, and there are several teams whom the Cardinals could look to if they want to trade for a starting pitcher or two.

Here are a few teams the Cardinals could do business with this winter.

1. Seattle Mariners

The Mariners are a team that the Cardinals have been linked to at various points this year.

We know that for a while, the Cardinals have been interested in Logan Gilbert. Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo are also some potential options for St. Louis.

Landing Gilbert will certainly be a tall task, making Woo and Miller less costly targets. But the Cardinals have the pieces to pull off a trade for him or one of Seattle's other young arms. The priority should be pitching, as John Mozeliak stated it would be.

2. Cleveland Guardians

Cleveland took several steps back this season and finished 10 games below the .500 mark.

But they have one pitcher in particular who could be of use to the Cardinals.

Shane Bieber is entering the final year of his contract with Cleveland, and chances are good the Guardians won't be able to sign him when he becomes a free agent.

And so, the Cardinals could trade for him and have their ace for 2024. Bieber went 6-6 with a 3.80 ERA, which isn't bad, but also isn't quite what we're used to seeing from the former Cy Young.

Granted, he dealt with a shoulder injury and missed significant time this year. That is something the Cardinals are going to need to be cognizant of if they do try to trade for him.

But when healthy, Bieber is one of the best pitchers in all of baseball, and he certainly fits the mold of an ace. St. Louis is going to need at least two frontline starters, and Cleveland would certainly be a good place to start if they want to trade for one.

To me, Bieber makes more sense than somebody like Tyler Glasnow. Glasnow would be a solid pickup, but he often struggles with injuries. Bieber's injury was really the first major setback of his career.

He's also only 28 and has historically been a very strong strikeout pitcher, with this year being a notable exception. The Cardinals would be wise to pick up the right-hander while he's still in his prime.

3. Los Angeles Dodgers

You might be surprised to see the Dodgers on this list, and I can certainly understand why.

Why would the Cardinals try and make a trade with the Dodgers, when both teams are trying to contend? Hear me out on this one.

Recently, a report surfaced from Alden Gonzalez of ESPN, who revealed that the Dodgers might be interested in trading some of their young pitching prospects to add some offense. He suggested that they could call the Cardinals about Nolan Arenado.

I don't think an Arenado trade is happening, and I personally think it's a terrible idea for the Cardinals to trade him. But that doesn't mean a trade can't take place that would benefit both teams.

We know the Cardinals are desperate for pitching of any kind. Perhaps somebody like Emmet Sheehan could be had.

He is somebody that the Cardinals could almost certainly pencil into their rotation for next year, and he's got the potential to be a middle to back-end starter in the future.

The Cardinals could potentially look to deal one of their young bats such as Tommy Edman, Brendan Donovan, or even Nolan Gorman to get a deal done. It may seem kind of lopsided for just one pitcher, but who's to say the Cardinals would just get one guy?

Perhaps the Dodgers could throw in somebody like Gavin Stone, Michael Grove, or Ryan Pepiot in addition. The Cardinals must consider bold action in order to get the pitching help that they need, and the Dodgers may have some options that could benefit them.

It does not change the fact, however, that the Cardinals do need at least two frontline starters.

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Here are a few teams the Cardinals could do business with this winter.

1. Seattle Mariners

2. Cleveland Guardians

3. Los Angeles Dodgers

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