Ranking the St. Louis Cardinals' trade pieces entering Spring Training

The Cardinals have a ton of valuable assets and these ten players standout the most

The St. Louis Cardinals have a plethora of young talent expected to make their Major League roster as well as more knocking on the door of St. Louis. When you look at the offensive side of things, this is a huge advantage for the club and is a big reason why they should have an elite offense in 2023. Pitching-wise, they are thinner but have young arms in the system that will make noise in the next few years.

So let's be clear, this depth is a good thing. It means the Cardinals are operating out of a position of strength. If one guy disappoints, they have two or three others who could succeed in their place. But as many have pointed out, at some point the Cardinals will need to consolidate some of this young talent into elite pitching for the rotation.

It's fair to wonder, which guys would end up being traded if a deal was made? More importantly, how would you rank these trade pieces? If the Cardinals were to make a blockbuster deal for a front-line starter, who would be the potential headliners? Ranking the top trade chips that the Cardinals have is a difficult task. In just a few months, some of these names could easily move up or down the list based on performance or opportunities they receive. But either way, I did my best to rank the top 10 trade assets anyways.

Players that are expected to be core contributors for the Cardinals this year were not considered for this list. While obviously, names like Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, Jack Flaherty, Tommy Edman, and Willson Contreras would be valuable pieces, it just doesn't make any sense for the club to consider. This list is comprised of young talent that would be appealing to rebuilding teams, but I did make an untouchables list that we should cover.

Untouchables: Jordan Walker, Masyn Winn, Tink Hence, Gordon Graceffo

Most people in baseball view these four as the Cardinals' top four prospects, and I doubt the club moves any of them, barring a potential deal for superstar with club control.

Jordan Walker is for sure untouchable. Whether it is Opening Day or a few months into the season, Walker will be a starting member of the Cardinals' outfield and is seen as a future star in today's game. Masyn Winn will be held onto as well, unless for some reason the club ends up being set on Edman and Nolan Gorman/Brendan Donovan as their starting middle infield of the future, and then maybe they would consider dealing him.

With how thin the Cardinals' pitching is going forward, I do not see a scenario where Tink Hence or Gordon Graceffo are put in trade talks. Hence is a high risk, high reward prospect with the tools to be a legit ace, and Graceffo was a popular name amongst rival teams this off-season for a reason.

Now, let's get into the top 10.

#9 - Matthew Liberatore

Since being acquired in the Randy Arozarena trade, Matthew Liberatore has failed to meet expectations and does not look like the number two starter that was once thought of about him.

To be fair, these were probably too high of expectations on Liberatore, who seems much more likely to be a back end of the rotation starter with middle of the rotation upside. His fastball has been a real issue for him, preventing him from finding the success he needs to have if he wants to be on the St. Louis roster.

Liberatore is just 22 years old, but is right on the cusp of the big leagues after his first taste of action in 2022. Posting a 5.97 ERA in 34.2 innings was not the plan for Liberatore, but the Cardinals and other clubs should not give up on the potential he still has.

Still, with their rotation filled out for 2023 and other swing arms like Dakota Hudson, Jake Woodford, Andre Pallante, and Connor Thomas fighting for innings, it is hard to see how Liberatore factors in this year. Nipping at his heels are players like McGreevy, Graceffo, Hence, and Connor Hjerpe as well, so it's becoming easier to see how Liberatore may be more valuable in a trade than in the Cardinals organization at some point this year.

#8 - Ivan Herrera

Ivan Herrera is an interesting name for the Cardinals. While he did not take the steps forward they would have hoped in 2022, he was fast-tracked a ton, so another year in Triple-A Memphis may help Herrera regain the trajectory that he was on.

I shared recently how I thought Herrera was still an important part of the Cardinals' future, but that does not mean the club cannot consider dealing him if the right offer is there. Guys like Jimmy Crooks III and Leonardo Bernal could be seen as the Cardinals' next long-term option in their system should they choose to move off of Herrera.

If Andrew Knizner proves he can be the backup to Contreras for the next few seasons, I could see Herrera being viewed as expendable if he is valuable by another team.

#7 - Moises Gomez

Moises Gomez broke out in a big way in 2022, posting a .996 OPS with 39 HR and 94 RBI in just 120 games between Double-A and Triple-A. You would think a guy like that would rank much higher on this list, but there are reasons for why he does not, at least yet.

Gomez has a big strikeout problem, and the amount of swing and miss in his game will be a big problem at the Major League level if it is not improved upon. The Cardinals are looking to help him through these struggles though.

Gomes is only 24, and if he improves on that swing and miss, he could be a force at the plate for a long time. His power is legit, and that will make him attractive to a lot of teams around the league. If he performs in Spring Training and continues to mash at Triple-A, he may be a coveted option come July.

#6 - Juan Yepez

This is where the list gets really difficult in my opinion. On one hand, I could see Juan Yepez being one of the best hitters on the team in 2023 and mashing a ton of extra base hits while locking down the DH position. On the other hand, I could see his value being lower if that bat is not elite due to his lack of defensive ability.

Yepez can play the corner infield or outfield positions, but not particularly well. He is best suited to be a primary DH, where he will be judged solely for his bat then. After posting a 111 OPS+ last season, many expect Yepez to take a major step forward in his second season. Even if he does, with the amount of bats the Cardinals need to rotate through their lineup, it may be in their best interest to capitlzie on the value of a primary DH to free up that role for other members.

Still, it may be difficult for the Cardinals to part with a guy who has already come up big for them in the postseason, is a hard worker, and is loved by his teammates. He does not have the same value as other guys on this list right now, but with a big 2023 season, he could rise up this list significantly.

#5 - Alec Burleson

Alec Burleson has the edge on Yepez in this ranking for two reasons: Burleson does his damage from the left side of the plate and he is able to play the corner outfield and first base at a higher level than Yepez.

Both players have the ability to do damage at the plate. While Yepez has 30+ HR power potential, Burleson may hit more like 20-25 HRs but hit for a higher average and OBP. The ability to have a guy that can do damage like that as a left-handed hitter is so valuable in this league.

Burleson has also become a bit undervalued as a defensive player. No, he's not going to be a star in the field, but he can be an average defender at three positions, something I am not sure Yepez will ever be able to say.

Burleson only got a brief stint in St. Louis in 2022 but should have a lot more opportunities this season. His .905 OPS in Triple-A last season was extremely promising, especially since it was only his second professional season. Burleson is a guy that will be sought after by other clubs if St. Louis is not utilizing him.

#4 - Tyler O'Neill

Finding the right spot for Tyler O'Neill on this list was difficult. He's clearly going to be a name floated around this season, but how valuable will he be? If the Cardinals are willing to part with him, it's likely because he has fallen out of favor, so why would he carry a lot of value elsewhere? If he does bounce back for St. Louis, I don't think they would trade him this year.

So, I decided to put O'Neill fourth on this list. Even if he does struggle again this year at the plate or has more injuries, he's the only name here that has played like an MVP caliber player at the Major League level. Other teams will want a shot at getting a middle of the order masher with elite defensive skills if they can get their hands on him.

Since he is a few years away from free agency though, coupled with injuries and inconsistent performance, he probably won't be valued more than others on this list. O'Neill is still worth keeping an eye on though regardless.

#3 - Nolan Gorman

Just yesterday, I covered how MLB.com predicted Nolan Gorman to be a breakout star at the plate in 2023. The 22-year-old boasts incredible power and was a top-20 prospect in the game of baseball just a year ago. The fact that he may be only their third most valuable trade piece, or possibly even their 7th most valuable if you count the untouchables, is pretty incredible.

Gorman his 30 HRs last year across Triple-A and St. Louis last year. While he did not take the league by storm like many fans hoped he would, he did show plenty of signs of great things to come.

What makes Gorman an interesting trade candidate is the lack of a clear role on the club. With Brendan Donvoan's breakout season last year, he should remain the club's utilityman but will see a lot of those starts at second base. Gorman can see time a DH as well, but that position is crowded as well.

One has to wonder with Masyn Winn's debut sometime between late 2023 and the 2024 season, will there be enough room for Winn, Gorman, Edman, and Donovan on the roster? There can be, but the club may decide to cash in on Gorman's bat if that group fields too crowded.

#2 - Brendan Donovan

One of the biggest risers in the Cardinals' organization over the last calendar year, Brendan Donovan has gone from an unknown prospect to a sought-after utilityman, not just by the Cardinals, but also among other teams in the league.

Donovan made a name for himself by being a scrappy player, getting on-base at an elite clip, and playing all over the diamond for the Cardinals. He was the first Cardinals rookie to win a Gold Glove in franchise history and was the first player to win the new utility Gold Glove in the National League.

Based on trade negotiations this offseason, it does not seem like the Cardinals will be willing to part with Donovan any time soon. There are really only two things that I could see changing that.

First would be a major breakout season from Gorman. If he takes ahold of the everyday second base job, Donovan will still have a major role with the club, but will have to find time all across the diamond, which provides immense value for St. Louis.

But with all the depth on this club, the second way that could change builds off the first. If so many of the Cardinals' young players are progressing in a big way, and other club's really value Donovan, they could capitalize on his value to acquire a top-end starter that the club badly needs.

Again, I don't see them dealing Donovan if he continues his success in 2023. Having a player like Donovan on your team is just too valuable to give away, so unless it's to go after a superstar talent, he will remain a Cardinal for a longtime.

#1 - Dylan Carlson

I know this pick will be controversial, but with a rebound season likely coming from Dylan Carlson, he'll be a highly sought-after player when the Cardinals decide to make a splash in the trade market.

Carlson finished 3rd in the NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2021, slashing .266/.343/.437 with 18 HR and 65 RBI, and was touted for his elite defense during 2022.

While Carlson did take a step back last season, it's pretty clear that his wrist injury played a major part in his regression. Really, the main thing he needs to figure out is facing right-handed pitching. Carlson has been elite in his career against lefties, posting a .869 OPS, but that drops over .200 points to a .686 OPS.

Carlson has all of the tools to change the narrative that was attached to him recently and get back to one of the most promising players in today's game. With Lars Nootbaar rising to the top of the Cardinals current outfield and Jordan Walker ready to take another one of those spots, Carlson could find himself expendable in a big deal at some point. If the club decides they want to roll with Tyler O'Neill, Alec Burleson, Moises Gomez, Brendan Donovan, or Juan Yepez as their third outfielder, then the possibility of Carlson being on the move rises even more.