Jack Flaherty trade ideas after the Lucas Giolito trade

While there have been smaller bullpen moves thus far at the Trade Deadline, Lucas Giolito's move to Los Angeles from Chicago has by far been the biggest. Giolito was a top pitcher available at this deadline, and it was assumed by many that he would fetch a high return for the White Sox. It wasn't suspected, however, to be two of the top-three players in a team's farm system.

The Giolito trade gives us a better idea of the market and the demand for starting pitchers. It is most definitely a sellers' market at this point, as if it weren't already. The return for Giolito gives us a better idea of what Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery might get the Cardinals in return. The Chicago White Sox gave up Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez for catcher Edgar Quero (#70 overall, 9th best catcher) and Ky Bush (unranked overall, 3rd in Angels organization).

It is important to remember that each farm system and prospect list is different. The Angels, for example, have right around the 19th-best farm system, per Bleacher Report. Teams such as the Dodgers (2nd), Diamondbacks (16th), Texas Rangers (10th), and Orioles (1st), four teams most linked to starting pitchers, have substantially better farm systems. Therefore, we can start to predict the prospects the Cardinals can expect. They may not be top-3 prospects for one of the two starters alone, but the Cardinals can expect a top-100 prospect for one player or multiple prospects should Jack or Jordan be paired with a reliever.

I'll identify four new trades, one for each of the teams mentioned, for Jack Flaherty. Some will be Jack alone, while others will include Flaherty in a package. The Dodgers, for example, have been very outspoken about wanting a starter and a reliever. The Orioles, meanwhile, could use just a starter, as they are trying to be savvy buyers at this deadline.

Before the trade discussions, it is important to note what Flaherty has done for the Cardinals. While he has fought injuries for most of his career, he has been quite outspoken about his love for the city. After his most recent start against the Diamondbacks, his emotions were clear. Katie Woo made this very evident in her recent threads on Twitter. Like Flaherty's personality or not, he was always a competitor who gave it his all and continually gave the Cardinals a chance to win. All Flaherty knows is the Cardinals, and he has spent nearly 10 years in the organization. If he is traded or not resigned, he will be missed in the city.

Jack Flaherty trade idea No. 1) Dodgers

Jack is originally from the Los Angeles area and went to high school there. While he has said in the past that he wants to stay in St. Louis, I'm sure he would love a return to his home town. Also, the Dodgers wouldn't complain about receiving a pitcher who would slot in just behind Julio Urias, Clayton Kershaw, and Tony Gonsolin.

Flaherty would provide high upside for a team with annual World Series aspirations. He could easily start a playoff game and pitch into the 7th inning. The Dodgers would more than likely want a strong reliever as well. Their organization does a good job of using pitchers late in games, and the Cardinals have some relivers who could also be shipped off.

The Dodgers have a fantastic farm system. It is unrealistic to expect two top-three prospects in return, let alone one. However, the Dodgers do have a high-end pitcher in their farm system that may be appealing and achievable to the Cardinals: Gavin Stone. If paired with a strong reliever, Flaherty could bring back the Dodgers' fourth-ranked prospect (seventh best right-handed pitching prospect in MLB).

Currently, Gavin Stone is pitching for Triple-A Oklahoma City for the Dodgers. He has a 5.86 ERA, 1.486 WHIP, and has accrued 82 strikeouts in 70-2/3 innings. MLB.com states that "While Stone is less physical than desired for a starter, he's athletic and has an efficient delivery that helps him hold his stuff and provides consistent strikes". Stone is ranked #48 by MLB.com for all prospects.

The Dodgers would also have to include a throw-in prospect. Nick Nastrini seems to fit the bill. He's a high-K, high-BB guy with some upside as a starter but more upside as a reliever. The Cardinals can take a flier on him while the Dodgers are willing to let him go as they have ample pitchers in the minors.

Jack Flaherty trade idea No. 2) Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks clock started a year earlier than anticipated. This has forced their hand at the Trade Deadline. They must either decide to sell their players who can fetch a high return, such as Christian Walker, buy MLB talent to beef up the roster, or stay put and not mess up a good thing.

With Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly heading the rotation, the D-Backs have plenty of top-end talent. However, there is quite the drop-off after those two. Tommy Henry, Ryne Nelson, and Brandon Pfaadt are currently listed as the next three starters. If the Diamondbacks intend to compete this regular season and make a possible playoff push, they could use another strong starter. Enter: Jack Flaherty.

While Arizona's farm system isn't as deep and strong as the Dodgers', they do have some pieces that can be moved. Brandon Pfaadt could be an option, but Arizona seems committed to keeping him on the roster. He is also ranked 21st in all of baseball. The Diamondbacks are most certainly not trading their top prospects, Jordan Lawlar and Druw Jones. There is quite a drop-off after that, as Devyison De Los Santos is their next best prospect, and he isn't ranked in the top 100 in baseball or top 10 for his position.

Therefore, the Cardinals could target MLB talent that the Diamondbacks have. Alek Thomas seems to fit the bill. With Dylan Carlson more than likely being shipped off, the Cardinals could use a proven center fielder. Alek Thomas would be just that. Once a top-100 prospect, Thomas has since graduated. His major-league numbers are not very strong offensively (.233/.274/.365 for an OPS+ of 79). Thomas's defense is where he shines the most. In just over 175 games, he has accrued 5 defensive runs saved. He is ranked in the 72nd percentile in outfielder jump, 81st percentile in outs above average, and 85th percentile in sprint speed.

The Cardinals would have to send some more to get Alek Thomas, as the Diamondbacks love him in center. Another possibility would be the Cardinals seeing a return of Blake Walston (No. 5 in Arizona's farm system) and Landon Sims, among others. It's also plausible Mozeliak can swing a trade for Pfaadt, but that's highly unlikely, as he seems to fit into the Diamondbacks' 2024 and beyond plans.

Jack Flaherty trade idea No. 4) Rangers

Teams can always use more pitching. That is the case with the Texas Rangers. Despite spending big on the rotation the past two offseasons and acquiring Aroldis Chapman a month ago, the team could still use more pitching. Their bullpen ERA (4.77) is fourth worst in the league and their team ERA (4.19) is middle of the pack, 15th overall. They could use some help in the rotation and bullpen.

Jack Flaherty could slot in as the 4th or 5th starter for them, either before or after Dane Dunning. Flaherty's acquisition could also allow the Rangers to go to a 6-man rotation, as their starters have combined for the second-most innings thus far (576.1 innings). In the playoffs, Flaherty would be a great piggyback starter, or a starter overall should he finish the season strong.

In return, the Cardinals could ask for quite a bit. The Rangers currently have 6 players in the top 100. The organization appears to be very fond of Jack Leiter, as they pushed him to AA in his first season in 2022. It's possible the Cardinals could get him, although his stats aren't very strong (5.51 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 1.97 strikeout-to-walk ratio).

St. Louis may be more interested in Brock Porter or Owen White. White, a 23-year-old righty who was drafted out of high school in 2018, has quite the arsenal. He throws a four-seamer that can touch the upper-90s and a slider that sits in the mid-80s that has great movement on it. His strikeout numbers are above league average, and he does a strong job at limiting walks. He is MLB-ready. Should the Cardinals snag Owen White, it's a guarantee they'll need to include a reliever in the package.

Brock Porter was drafted out of high school just last year and has quite the high school resume. The Rangers broke records with their fourth-round bonus offer of $3.7 million. His two primary pitches are a very strong fastball and a pace-changing changeup. In 16 starts this year, he has a 2.55 ERA, .153 batting average against, and has struck out 68 batters in just 53 innings. His control could improve, but that may come with age.