MLB Rumors: St. Louis Cardinals unlikely to trade Oscar Taveras

The St. Louis Cardinals are the envy of the other teams in Major League Baseball. They have the pieces in their minor league system to make a blockbuster trade mid-season if they so desire, yet they have a big league roster with few holes to fill via blockbuster trade.

More from MLB

That also makes them a tough team to figure as rumors float around. On the one hand they could run with their current roster, tapping into their farm system to promote their talented, big-league ready players. On the other hand they could use those players to pursue a blockbuster trade and try to add an ace pitcher like David Price.

Whatever route they go this next month, one thing seems certain: top outfield prospect Oscar Taveras is not available in any deal. Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post Dispatch writes as much on Saturday:

"I’d be shocked if Cardinals GM John Mozeliak traded his top prospect, outfielder Oscar Taveras. As Ken Rosenthal (Fox Sports) wrote this week, a franchise starved for runs during an MLB era of dramatically suppressed offense can’t afford to give up an elite young hitter for a one-season, or even two-season, rental."

Each big league team faces the challenge alluded to by Miklasz here. Young power hitters are difficult to find these days, so teams are more inclined to hold onto them and, in turn, ask for them in big trades.

Taveras disappointed the Cardinals in a brief big league stint this year, batting .189/.225/.297 in 11 games. With a logjam in the St. Louis outfield, he may or may not contribute anytime in the near future, but it makes plenty of sense that the Cardinals plan to keep him around for a while.

Home/MLB