According to ESPN insider David Schoenfield’s early MLB trade deadline analysis, if the Cardinals find the appropriate bidder, they may be able to move eight-time MLB All-Star Nolan Arenado.
“… It’s a long list,” Schoenfield wrote, adding that “if the Cardinals could pay down some of the contract, they could probably find Arenado a home.” Of course, it all depends on whether St. Louis wants to deal with the 34-year-old and whether he wants to move.
When searching for a partner to trade Arenado to, the Cardinals have two options: increase their pool of prospects or acquire MLB-ready players to expedite their “re-tool” process. If the Cardinals’ management choose to cut Arenado before the deadline, who would be interested?
Philadelphia Phillies
Alec Bohm, the starting third baseman, has been struggling, so the Phillies could be trying to strengthen their hot corner. The Redbirds’ pitching staff may target guys like Phillies No. 8 Prospect RHP given the injury to the Cardinals’ top three pitching prospects. No. 11 RHP Jean Cabrera, a former international free agent, Mick Abel, a 2020 first-round pick now at Triple-A Lehigh, or perhaps the Phillies’ top prospect, RHP Andrew Painter, depending on how much they are willing to pay for Arenado.
According to Statcast, LHP Tanner Banks is in the 82nd percentile for average exit velocity and the 62nd percentile for ground ball rate, two metrics that would be ideal at pitcher-friendly Busch Stadium if the organization is searching for a return that is MLB-ready.
Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto may be another team trying to get a third baseman because Ernie Clement isn’t producing much for them. The Cardinals may pursue Blue Jays prospects like No. 9 Kendry Rojas, a former international free agent who is coming off an injury-shortened 2.59 ERA season, or No. 4 LHP Ricky Tiedemann, who has a lifetime 3.01 ERA in 41 minor league appearances.
On the major league level, the Cardinals may consider left-handed bullpen arms like Brendon Little, who is among the top 3% of MLB relievers in predicted batting average against, or rookie Mason Fluharty, who according to Statcast hasn’t given up a single barrel on 17 hit balls.
New York Yankees
This season, neither Oswaldo Peraza nor Oswaldo Cabrera have been very effective at the plate. New York would welcome Arenado.
There are several pitching prospects available to the Cardinals from the Yankees, but St. Louis should focus on No. 7 Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, a righty with a career 2.66 ERA. They might target a power bat like Ben Rice, who has already hit six home runs this season, or rookie reliever Will Warren, who has had some difficulty making the move to the major leagues but has encouraging stats that may work well at Busch Stadium, for a big league comeback.
