Cardinals Make a Comeback at Trade Deadline After a Year of Shedding Players
In just one year, the Cardinals have gone from shedding players to being back in the game at Major League Baseball’s annual trade deadline. After a disappointing 2023 season, their first losing season in over a decade, the Cardinals have bounced back and are now actively shopping for new talent.
Last year, the Cardinals were forced to face the harsh reality of their record and made the tough decision to auction off some of their top pitchers. This included Jordan Montgomery and Chris Stratton, who would go on to become World Series champions, as well as Jack Flaherty and Jordan Hicks.
But the Cardinals didn’t just let go of these players without a plan. They strategically used the trade deadline to restock their minor-league system by acquiring promising players in return for their four pitchers. And with all four of those pitchers being pending free agents, the Cardinals were able to make the most out of their trades.
Now, with a stronger minor-league system and a renewed determination, the Cardinals are ready to make a comeback and reclaim their spot among the top teams in the league. Keep an eye out for their moves at this year’s trade deadline – it’s sure to be an exciting one for Cardinals fans.
Cardinals Return to Trade Deadline as Buyers After a Year of Shedding Players
The Cardinals have had a complete turnaround in just one year, going from shedding players to now being buyers at the Major League Baseball trade deadline. But as they enter the marketplace, are the prices any different?
After a disappointing 2023 season, the Cardinals made the decision to auction off their pitchers, including eventual World Series champions Jordan Montgomery and Chris Stratton, as well as Jack Flaherty and Jordan Hicks. In return, they restocked their minor-league system with players who were pending free agents.
Now, as the Cardinals search for pitching, they find themselves in a new position as buyers instead of sellers. But what can they learn about the prices they’ll pay this trade deadline from the prices they charged just a year ago?
Let’s take a closer look at three of the trades the Cardinals made last year and the lessons they can provide for this year’s trade deadline.
Trade 1: Montgomery and Stratton to Texas for Roby, King, and Saggese
At the time of the trade, Montgomery had a 6-9 record with a 3.42 ERA in 21 games, while Stratton had a 1-1 record with a 4.19 ERA in 42 relief appearances. Both were rentals and would become free agents at the end of the season.
In return, the Cardinals received a member of their current major-league bullpen in King, as well as two top prospects in Roby and Saggese. This trade showed that the Cardinals were willing to trade a few months of control for 16 years, with six years for the prospects and four years for King before he becomes a free agent.
Trade 2: Hicks to Toronto for Kloffenstein and Robberse
Hicks, who had a 1-6 record with a 3.67 ERA in 40 relief appearances, was also a rental and pending free agent at the time of the trade. In return, the Cardinals received two prospects who are now in Class AAA and rank among their top 30 prospects.
This trade showed that the Cardinals were willing to trade a few months of control for 12 years, with both prospects having a long future ahead of them.
Trade 3: Flaherty to Baltimore for Prieto, Rom, and Showalter
Flaherty, who had a 7-6 record with a 4.43 ERA in 20 starts, was also about to become a free agent at the time of the trade. In return, the Cardinals received a contact-oriented infielder in Prieto and a left-handed pitcher in Rom.
This trade showed that the Cardinals were willing to trade a few months of control for players who could potentially contribute to their team in the future.
As the Cardinals enter this year’s trade deadline, they can use these past trades as a guide for the prices they may have to pay for the pitching they need. While their vantage point may have changed, the prices may not be all that different.
