The St. Louis Cardinals are close in the National League Wild Card race, but seem to have committed to selling at the trade deadline. The deadline is now just two days away, and they have several players teams are interested in.
In all likelihood, the players that will be dealt are relievers Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton and Steven Matz, all relievers on expiring contracts. However, their fire sale may not be limited to just those three arms.
While it’s unlikely Nolan Arenado gets traded, the Cardinals have fielded calls on him, according to Katie Woo. Trading him would open up third base for a younger player.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic made a bold prediction for a trade, proposing a deal that sends both Helsley and Arenado to the Detroit Tigers.
“Making predictions on the fast-moving trade market is fraught with hazard, but here goes,” Bowden wrote. “Tigers will land Nolan Arenado and Ryan Helsley from the Cardinals.”
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To move Arenado, St. Louis would have to eat a significant chunk of his remaining salary. They were hesitant to do that last offseason, which ultimately resulted in a lack of interest after he declined a trade to the Houston Astros.
Throwing Helsley into the mix could add some value to the package, however. The Cardinals have set a high asking price for the reigning NL Reliever of the Year.
Fortunately, the Tigers have arguably the deepest farm system in Major League Baseball, so the Cardinals could bring back some top prospects if they send Helsley to Detroit.
As an impending free agent, Helsley will likely not return to the Cardinals in 2026. Thus, it makes sense to trade him to a team in position to contend for a World Series title.
The Cardinals could essentially kill two birds with one stone by making this potential move. They could open third base for Nolan Gorman or Thomas Saggese, while also capitalizing on their top trade chip.
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