The St. Louis Cardinals are at a bit of a crossroads as the trade deadline approaches. They are 44-37 and are in contention in both the National League Central and Wild Card races.
However, it remains unclear what they will do at the trade deadline. They had promised younger players runway, but are attempting to balance a youth movement with winning in 2025.
This could lead to them either buying or selling at the deadline. They could use some more young talent.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic proposed the idea of St. Louis sending Nolan Arenado and Ryan Helsley to the Detroit Tigers for infield prospect Kevin McGonigle.
"The Cardinals have stuck around in the wild-card race, but this would be a deal for the future. They would acquire McGonigle, an elite prospect who can flat-out hit and can play any infield position. The 20-year-old is clearly one of Detroit’s top-three prospects. The Cardinals could play McGonigle at second base or third base long term — wherever they feel he fits best," Bowden wrote.
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Helsley is in the final year of his contract and could bring back a solid prospect or two for St. Louis. Arenado would have to waive his no-trade clause to make this deal work.
St. Louis would also have to eat a significant chunk of Arenado's contract. It remains to be seen if Arenado might reconsider waiving his no-trade clause to go to Detroit.
The Tigers are tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in Major League Baseball, so they could be an ideal landing spot for both players.
This would also allow St. Louis to infuse their minor league system with more young talent and potentially even open up third base for Nolan Gorman or Thomas Saggese.
It will certainly be interesting to see how the Cardinals operate at the deadline this year.
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