Trade of Phil Maton Expected to be Cardinals’ Final Deadline Move
In a last-minute decision, the St. Louis Cardinals are set to make a trade involving pitcher Phil Maton before the deadline. This move will solidify their roster for the remainder of the season, as they plan to hold onto promising players such as Brendan Donovan and Lars Nootbaar.
The Cardinals have been active in the trade market leading up to the deadline, but it seems that the deal involving Maton will be their final move. This news comes as a relief to fans who were worried about the potential loss of key players.
Maton, who was acquired by the Cardinals earlier this season, has been a valuable asset to the team’s bullpen. However, with the deadline looming, it was uncertain if he would remain with the Cardinals or be traded to another team.
But now, it seems that the Cardinals have made their decision and will be keeping Maton on their roster. This move not only solidifies their bullpen, but also shows their commitment to building a strong team for the rest of the season.
In addition to Maton, the Cardinals will also be holding onto promising prospects such as Donovan and Nootbaar. These young players have shown great potential and the Cardinals are eager to see them continue to develop and contribute to the team’s success.
As the deadline approaches, the Cardinals are confident in their roster and are ready to make a strong push for the playoffs. With the trade of Maton expected to be their final move, the team is focused on making a deep run in the postseason.
Cardinals Expected to Make One More Trade Before Deadline
With just a few hours left until the trade deadline, all eyes are on the St. Louis Cardinals. The team has already made two trades, sending Ryan Helsley to the Mets and Steven Matz to the Blue Jays. Now, it seems that Phil Maton will be the next player to be dealt.
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Maton, like Helsley and Matz, will be a free agent at the end of the season. Despite signing a one-year, $2 million contract with the Cardinals in the offseason, Maton has been a standout performer this year with a 2.35 ERA in 40 appearances. However, it was reported last night that Maton did not travel with the team to San Diego, indicating that a trade is likely imminent.
While a Maton trade seems inevitable, it will likely be the last major move the Cardinals make before the deadline. Although there has been interest in some of their position players, such as Brendan Donovan, Lars Nootbaar, and Alec Burleson, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports that the team has not entertained any offers for them.
Cardinals RHP Phil Maton
Joe Puetz-Imagn Images
If the Cardinals do indeed finish their trading activity after dealing Maton, it means that eight-time All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado will remain with the team. Despite being the subject of trade rumors in the offseason and even vetoing a potential trade to Houston, Arenado has struggled offensively this year with a .235 batting average and .660 OPS, both of which are on pace to be career lows. However, the Cardinals have him under contract through 2027.
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Lastly, JoJo Romero is the only other Cardinals reliever with significant trade value. With a 2.04 ERA in 35 1/3 innings pitched this year and under team control through 2026, Romero could have potentially brought in a higher prospect return than Helsley. However, it appears that the Cardinals will hold onto him, making him a key part of their bullpen for the foreseeable future.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on July 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
