Here are the five players that the Cardinals are most likely to dangle at the Aug. 3 MLB Trade Deadline to try and supplement their MLB club and their Minor League system.
With the All-Star Game and Jordan Walker’s triumphant, jaw-dropping performance in the Home Run Derby gone but likely not forgotten anytime soon, it’s time to look ahead to the Aug. 3 MLB Trade Deadline and the approaches that the Cardinals might take before that season-defining moment.
At 50-45, the Cardinals surprised many in what was supposed to be a challenging rebuilding season with a roster that is MLB’s youngest. Computer models suggest that the Cards level of play should have them at 48-47, so they have even defied the machines. Some would argue, regardless how the second half plays out, that the season is already a success with Walker breaking through to stardom, JJ Wetherholt being a leading Rookie of the Year candidate and several prospects in the Minor League system already thriving.
President of baseball operations Chaim Bloom made the bold decision to trade proven veterans Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras and Brendan Donovan over the winter. Those subtractions changed the vibes inside a young and feisty clubhouse and provided opportunities for several of the club’s rising young players.
Bloom now must decide a course of action for the next steps. Does he reward a scrappy clubhouse and its fighting spirit by aggressively adding another starting pitcher, a proven reliever or a right-handed bat at the deadline to fortify the playoff push? Or does he dangle some of the team’s veteran pieces for more prospects that could pay big dividends for the franchise in the future? Or does he do a little bit of both, looking to add Major League talent ready to help now, while also shopping the expiring free agents for long-range prospects?
Here is a look at the five players the Cardinals could consider trading before the Aug. 3 MLB Trade Deadline:
· Riley O’Brien: An All-Star in his first full MLB season, O’Brien has become a true success story for the Cards this season. He has saved 24 games in 28 opportunities, and he has seemingly righted himself after a shaky June. At 31 years old, his trade value will likely never be higher. But the Cards have him for $795,000 this season and at a similar number in 2027. Being that he is a proven closer with a controllable salary for the next four seasons, the Cardinals would have to be overwhelmed with their return to ship O’Brien elsewhere.
· Dustin May: Back on June 15, when May pitched the game of his MLB life with a one-hit, complete-game shutout over the Padres, some were wondering if the Cards should extend him instead of shopping him at the trade deadline. However, his value has likely plummeted since then with him only pitching 11 1/3 innings over what should have been five starts while surrendering 13 earned runs. The Cardinals will definitely shop him, but the potential returns are diminishing. Could he fetch a Top-15 prospect from an organization looking to add a hard-throwing right-hander? Trading him could open a spot in the rotation for blossoming Triple-A starter Quinn Mathews.
· JoJo Romero: The left-handed setup man was one of the team’s most clutch relievers in 2024 and ’25, but he hasn’t been nearly as consistent this season. Most any contender would be better having him out of their bullpen because of how he normally thrives against left-handed hitters (Think: Shohei Ohtani, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Matt Olson). Oddly, lefties have reached him for four homers and a .265 batting average this season. Still, the free-agent-to-be will likely be a top target among contenders and he could be the Cardinal player most likely to be traded at the deadline. Ryne Stanek, another free agent at season’s end whose effectiveness has waned this season, also falls into the category of the Cards seeing what they can get for him.
· Lars Nootbaar: At 28 years old, Nootbaar is one of the oldest players on the Cardinals, but his gregarious, carefree attitude has meshed perfectly with the vibes in the clubhouse. Since returning from double heel surgery, he’s posted a .778 OPS with three home runs – something that might prove appealing to teams looking for a left-handed bat. He’s been with the franchise since 2018, but he’s making $3.5 million this season and could get another raise on top of that in 2027 after arbitration. The Cardinals have his eventual replacement in Joshua Baez at Triple-A, so Bloom is likely to see what kind of prospect or MLB reliever Nootbaar could fetch at the deadline.
· Nolan Gorman/Leonardo Bernal: Oh, you forgot about trading prospects? Well, I didn’t. Undoubtedly, some teams will try and take advantage of the Cardinals’ frustrations with Gorman and snag his power potential for little in return. At this point, it almost feels like Gorman needs a fresh start elsewhere, but the Cards will be afraid of him going to another team, figuring it out and hitting 35 homers. Bernal, the No. 6-ranked prospect in the system, could be dangled at the deadline because of the team’s surplus of catching. His .806 OPS, 14 doubles and 11 home runs at Triple-A Memphis could be just the weapon the Cardinals need to fortify their starting staff with another cost-controlled, blossoming arm.
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