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We are back from the break, settled is the Home Run Derby and enough of the season has played out, so we know who is who this year. Now the winners are buyers, the losers are sellers and it’s the front office’s time to shine. Let’s check in with the NL Central, who is being sold, and the buyer’s wish lists.
Selling the NL Central: St. Louis Cardinals
From money line contenders to cellar dwellers, it’s a sad story, but this is baseball. The Cardinals have come out early and announced their fire sale already. They have several quality players to let go while the rest of the league is searching their roster for this year’s Harrison Bader.
The Cardinals are not in a full rebuild state and have let the league know Lars Noobaar, Jordan Walker, Nolan Arenado, and Paul Goldschmidt are all off the trade boards and will remain with the team. While they have not mentioned them, it is safe to say that Nolan Gorman, Brendan Donovan, Tommy Edman, and Dylan Carlson will likely not be shopped either.
Now we get to who won’t be on the team come August 1. Jack Flaherty, Jordan Montgomery, Jordan Hicks, and Tyler O’Neill are all known to be on the trade block. Paul DeJong has club options for the next two years at $12.5 million per year and could be a valuable trade asset. The 29-year-old shortstop is hitting .236 with 12 homers and 32 runs this year.
Adam Wainright is the biggest name of the unrestricted free agents for the Cardinals in 2024. At 41 years old and a 7.66 ERA, it’s likely they will allow the two-time 20-game winner and Roberto Clemente Award winner to finish his 18th season with the only club he had ever played for instead of chasing another WS ring.
Chris Stratton is another name that we will see on the trade ticker this month. In his final contract year, he has thrown 49 strikeouts in 46 innings with a 1.06 WHIP. He would be a bullpen upgrade for all buyers looking for help in the mid-to-late innings.
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