5 trade destinations if the St. Louis Cardinals decide to trade Tyler O'Neill

These five teams would be interesting trade partners in a Tyler O'Neill trade

Let me start by saying two things. First, I don't want the St. Louis Cardinals to trade Tyler O'Neill. Second, before ripping me for even suggesting a move, check out the comment section on my "5 teams that should trade for Harrison Bader" story, which came out almost three weeks before the surprise deadline deal with the Yankees.

I am not suggesting the Cardinals will trade O'Neill, nor am I saying that should. I don't believe the recent baserunning controversy will lead to O'Neill being dealt, and frankly, his performance this season warrants a spot in the starting outfield.

And yet, even as a big fan of O'Neill's, I can see the breadcrumbs being laid for a potential move in the coming months.

After an injury-plagued 2022 season, rumors of O'Neill being in trade talks this offseason circulated all the way up to Spring Training. It's important to remember that many players were talked about in trade rumors, including the likes of Nolan Gorman, Dylan Carlson, and even closer Ryan Helsley, but O'Neill's name has resurfaced recently from the likes of Ken Rosenthal.

Outside of O'Neill's injuries and down 2022 season, his arbitration case with the Cardinals seemed to be a sticky situation that left O'Neill frustrated. The Canadian will be a free agent after the 2024 season, which could lead St. Louis to turn to their plethora of cost-controlled outfielders in Jordan Walker, Lars Nootbaar, Dylan Carlson, and Alec Burleson.

One last wrinkle before we get into possible trade partners. I've talked about this before, but with the lack of "rebuilding teams" who have front-line pitching to deal, the Cardinals may have to get creative in order to acquire the pitching help they need. Barring a team blowing up, they may need to swap impact bats for impact arms, something that O'Neill could help fit the bill on.

So, let's look at five teams the Cardinals may want to call if they end up deciding to move on from O'Neill this season.

Tampa Bay Rays

I think each of the teams on this list are very interesting, but I have been fascinated with a trade idea that our own J.T. Buchheit suggested recently involving O'Neill and the Tampa Bay Rays.

In his story, Buchheit suggested a straight swap of O'Neill for Tyler Glasnow, which almost makes too much sense to me (again, as someone who would rather keep O'Neill in general). Glasnow and O'Neill will both be free agents after the 2024 season, are electric when they are on the field but have struggled with injuries, and play in areas of strength for their clubs.

The Rays have started off the season hot, led by an MLB-best pitching staff, even with Glasnow on the injured list. The saying goes "You can never have enough pitching", and although that is true, no team has both the quality and depth of pitching that Tampa Bay does.

While the Rays' bats have been on fire as well, I think we would all be shocked if they remain a top lineup in baseball throughout the season. They have good bats in their lineup like Wander Franco, Randy Arozarena, Brandon Lowe, and Yandy Diaz, but are currently receiving elite production from guys like Jose Siri, Luke Railey, Isaac Parades, and Josh Lowe as well.

There is surely room to improve their lineup, and O'Neill would offer them a great way to do that. Losing Glasnow shouldn't set them back much at all, as their current five-man group is one of the best in the game and they have multiple top prospects who could factor into their pitching staff as well.

I know Glasnow's injury history scares off people, but that's the risk you inherit with all starting pitchers. Yes, you can argue his history is more extensive than most, but if the Cardinals would deem him healthy at the time of a trade, then it's hard to hold those old injury concerns against him. Especially when it's in a swap for another guy who has major questions about staying on the field in O'Neill.

Even if Glasnow was not the target, the Rays have plenty of other pitching options for the Cardinals to consider.

Miami Marlins

Another team with a ton of pitching, the Miami Marlins desperately need help for their offense, especially in the outfield. They currently rank 28th in all of baseball with a 45 wRC+ average from their outfield.

Coming into 2023, star second baseman Jazz Chisolm offered to play center field for the club with how dire their outfield situation was. Miami is one of the teams Rosenthal named dropped as having conversations about O'Neill this offseason, which makes a ton of sense. New manager Skip Schumaker is familiar with O'Neill and could use his bat in their lineup.

While the popular name this offseason was Pablo Lopez, he is now a Minnesota Twin. Names like Jesus Luzardo, Edward Cabrera, or Trevor Rogers could be available though, especially for a major bat like O'Neill's.

In some ways, these teams seem destinated for an outfield for pitching swap, so we'll see if talks heat up again over the next few months.

Seattle Mariners

Why not return to the team O'Neill was drafted by? Seattle made big noise last season, ending their playoff drought and proving to be one of the best up-and-coming teams in all of baseball.

While Julio Rodriguez is the face of their franchise, it's their starting pitching that has the best depth in my opinion. Luis Castillo, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Robbie Ray, and Marco Gonzales make up an elite group of starters that can carry the team, and they even have guys like Chris Flexen who can slot on in for them.

Sure, injuries happen, but right now they have an abundance of starters, and could use some more thump in their lineup. While Marco Gonzales originally was sent to Seattle to acquire O'Neill, I doubt the Cardinals' would give their outfielder back to the Mariners without getting one of Castillo, Kirby, Gilbert, or Ray in return.

Would Seattle consider this? I'm not sure. I think it would be hard for the Mariners to find another buyer who is willing to give up big bats like O'Neill. Unless he goes on a tear in the next few months and proves he's back to his 2021 self, it would likely require more talent coming from St. Louis as well, which they could be more than happy to swap.

Cleveland Guardians

After surprising most of baseball with the scrappy play and ultimately World Series contending style of play, the Cleveland Guardians are back in 2023, ready to make legit noise this October.

While the club did make upgrades to their lineup this offseason, they still lack the ability to put up runs like the best lineups in baseball. The Guardians can hit, no question about it, but it feels like they are a tier or two below the best lineups in today's game.

Their pitching, on the other hand, will be a strong suit once again and is also an area of abundance for the organization. Maybe not quite as much as other teams, but they do have enough to make a deal in my opinion.

If the Guardians went really bold, O'Neill headlining a package for Shane Bieber would be very interesting for both sides, but I have a hard time believing the Guardians would move on from Bieber midseason unless they have fallen apart and are sellers.

Still, the Guardians have other pitching options, and could very well sort out a deal for the Cardinals' outfielder at some point this season.