The St. Louis Cardinals have dramatically turned their season around after a challenging start, positioning themselves as serious contenders in the NL Central and Wild Card races. Since their comeback victory on Mother’s Day, they have surged to a 34-22 record, finishing the first half of the season four games above .500.
Currently holding the second Wild Card spot, the Cardinals are also just 4.5 games behind the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers. With the trade deadline approaching, they have identified strengthening their starting rotation, particularly behind Sonny Gray, as a critical objective. Nathan Eovaldi has emerged as a prime target due to his strong performance this season and proven track record in high-stakes games, including two World Series wins.
Eovaldi, who boasts a 3.36 ERA over 17 starts and 99 innings pitched in 2024, presents an enticing option for St. Louis. His contract includes a $20 million vesting option for 2025 based on innings pitched, which he is likely to achieve if he remains healthy through the season’s latter months. Acquiring Eovaldi would require a significant investment from the Cardinals, especially considering the Texas Rangers’ cautious stance on trading him.
In addition to Eovaldi, the Cardinals are eyeing Robbie Grossman to bolster their outfield depth, particularly against left-handed pitching where the team has struggled. Grossman’s .810 OPS against lefties could provide valuable support, addressing a glaring weakness in their lineup.
The proposed trade package would see the Cardinals parting with Victor Scott II, a speedy center fielder with potential despite his initial struggles in the majors. Cooper Hjerpe, currently ranked as the Cardinals’ No. 7 prospect by MLB Pipeline, has shown promise in the minors and could contribute at the MLB level soon. Zack Showalter, a young pitching prospect with impressive strikeout numbers in Single-A, adds further depth to the trade package.
For the Cardinals, making such a move is seen as essential in a relatively weak National League landscape. Adding Eovaldi’s experience and durability for a potential extra year could significantly bolster their postseason aspirations, making the trade of promising prospects a calculated risk worth taking.
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