Seems like a simple question there in the headline, right? What makes sense for this team at this time? The answers may not be as simple as the question but there are plenty of logical ways to look at this...
For one, don't expect a high-end rental player. That's never really been the way the St. Louis Cardinals do things at the deadline and with a team that's .500 as I type these words a rental doesn't make much sense unless the cost is unrealistically low ... and that's not likely to be the case given that there is more demand than supply right now.
Players with team control will be extremely costly given that everyone is looking for those kinds of players and that there are more buyers than sellers.
With those set as parameters, what makes sense for the Cards?
Offensively things have started to turn around. In July the Cardinals are a top 10 offense in MLB based on wOBA and they have the 12th best OPS as well. The team's three young outfielders, now healthy, are all performing and none of them are in line to be replaced or see reduced playing time moving forward. Tyler O'Neill, Harrison Bader and Dylan Carlson are going to start every day moving forward and that only changes if there are injuries.
The Cards are also set at 1B, 3B and C and they're also not going to bail on Paul DeJong at SS (who has been crushing in July as well). The only place they might have room to add is 2B where a platoon partner that hits RHP to pair with Tommy Edman would help but I get the sense the team wants to play it out with Edman and see what he does with a couple more months of at bats.
The bench could always use a boost, particularly another LH bat, and there may be some help out there. The logic of making a move would be based on the cost. It would be nice to have a left handed hitting OF that can pinch hit, play occasionally and serve as a replacement in case of injury.
So there are depth additions to the offense that could be helpful but the biggest area for improvement is on the pitching side.
Like most other teams, the Cardinals are going to need innings the rest of the way. A lot of teams are concerned about pitchers hitting the wall in August and September because nobody played a full season in 2020 and I think that's a fair concern for the Cardinals, especially with the bullpen. The rotation might actually escape that problem because of time missed - Jack Flaherty and Miles Mikolas may not have to worry about such things if they return healthy soon. Still, an addition to the rotation wouldn't hurt. If Flaherty and Mikolas return ready to compete they, combined with Adam Wainwright and Kwang Hyun Kim, should be a big boost. Wade LeBlanc has done a nice job stabilizing the bottom of the rotation but it wouldn't be a bad thing to have someone else in the mix too.
The real need, however, is in the bullpen. Sure, Jordan Hicks might return to help out but that's an unknown and there are a lot of guys out there now that you wouldn't mind improving upon. Plus, relievers are generally quite available at this time of year. Maybe not lights-out closers but solid middle relievers can be found at reasonable prices.
Let's drop some names...
PLEASE NOTE: I am not saying these players are or have been connected to the Cardinals in trade rumors, this is just a list of relievers that could be available that could help the Cardinals down the stretch (and in some cases in 2022 as well). Most of them will be on other teams' radar as well. You will notice there aren't a lot of big names or stars in the group...
Daniel Bard, RHP (COL)
(Getty Images)Bard has been one of the coolest stories in baseball over the past calendar year. He didn't appear in the Majors from 2014-2019 but made the Rockies team last year at age 35 and did really nice job. He has continued to do nice work this season as well and his stuff, despite the fact that he's 36, still plays. His average fastball is 97.7 MPH (top 3% in MLB) and he strikes people out (11.7 K/9). He's not a free agent until 2023 so he's under control for next year and it's not hard to see the Rockies moving him since he'll be 37 in his last year of team control. Seems like he'll be a popular target for a lot of teams this week.
Jose Cisnero, RHP (DET)
(Getty Images)Even though he's 32 he's not a free agent until 2024 so he comes with control. In 2020-2021 he's been a solid piece for the Tigers (3.00 ERA, 3.10 FIP, 10.4 K/9) and since they're always trying to fix their bullpen they might not have much incentive to move him but given his age they might consider it for a good return. Fastball averages 96.8 MPH so obviously he's a big arm that can work anywhere from the 6th to the 9th.
Alex Colome, RHP (MIN)
(Getty Images)Was really good for the White Sox in 2019-2020 but hasn't been so good in Minnesota this year. There's a mutual option for $5.5 million next year but the way he's going it seems unlikely that a team would want to pick that up ... it also comes with a $1.25 million buyout if the team declines the option so the Twins might have to take less or include some cash for him to make sense. More of a middle reliever right now but has been good late in games in the recent past.
Dylan Floro, RHP (MIA
(Getty Images)Not sure how available he is. Floro was really good for the Dodgers last year and has been as good for the Marlins this year...plus he's not a free agent until 2024. Probably not going to come cheap but he's good.
Paul Fry, LHP (BAL)
(Getty Images)He wouldn't come cheap, I wouldn't think, but he's not a free agent until 2025 and he's been really good in 2020 and 2021 (3.12 ERA, 2.70 FIP, 12.3 K/9). Why would Baltimore move a cheap, effective reliever with team control? Well, he's 29-years-old and his value will probably never be higher. I imagine there are a lot of teams interested so he wouldn't be a cheap addition but he would be someone that could help for multiple seasons.
Michael Fulmer, RHP (DET)
(Getty Images)Has done a nice job since converting to the bullpen (3.62 ERA, 11.5 K/9 as a reliever) but has been out with an injury so even if he's back before the deadline he's a bit of a risk. He does come with another year of control and could potentially even be stretched out as a starter next spring but I doubt he'd come super cheap since Detroit needs bullpen arms for now and for the future. Fastball averages 95-96 MPH and can reach the upper 90's and his slider can be tough when he's right.
Yimi Garcia, RHP (MIA)
(Getty Images)Solid reliever who has been closing games for the Marlins but he's not someone I'd see in that role on a better team. He's a rental so the cost would have to be pretty low for it to make sense.
Mychal Givens, RHP (COL)
(Getty Images)Has a 2.73 ERA pitching for the Rockies but his FIP is 4.67 so he's not exactly an elite target. He's 31 and a free agent after the season so he'd only make sense if he was REALLY cheap.
Daniel Hudson, RHP (WAS)
(Getty Images)He's been awesome this year and has had plenty of success in the past as well, including in the postseason. He's a rental and it sounds like he's a popular name on the trade market right now so his value will depend on demand. Quality arm though, can definitely get outs anywhere from the 6th inning on.
Ian Kennedy, RHP (TEX)
(Getty Images)Another guy who can close for lower-tier teams but is more of a setup man for a good team. He's a rental and he's 36-years-old so it will be interesting to see what kind of return the Rangers can get for him. Sounds like a lot of teams are probably "in" on him right now.
Hansel Robles, RHP (MIN)
(Getty Images)Free agent after the season, struggled badly in 2020 and has been so-so this season. Was really good in 2018-2019 so he might be a decent middle reliever on the cheap.
Richard Rodriguez, RHP (PIT)
(Getty Images)He's been really good for the Pirates for several years and is closing games for them this year but he's 31-years-old so despite him not hitting free agency until 2024 it seems like the Pirates would get max value by trading him now. Probably not a closer for a better team but would still be a nice fit from the 6th to the 8th. He will be popular amongst contenders so that could drive the price up, especially for a division rival.
