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MLB Trade Rumors: 5 trade destinations for Jose Fernandez

By Dave Stevenson

Jul 9, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez (16) delivers a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds during the third inning at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 9, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez (16) delivers a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds during the third inning at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of St. Louis Cardinals hat and glove in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the ninth inning at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Cardinals 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of St. Louis Cardinals hat and glove in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the ninth inning at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Cardinals 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals must pursue starting pitching this offseason. Adam Wainwright’s future is questionable at best. They are likely going to lose John Lackey. Lance Lynn is out for all of next season. The Cardinals will likely be aggressive on the free-agent market. They could also be interested in getting a top of the rotation pitcher like Jose Fernandez.

The Cardinals rotation next year will likely include Carlos Martinez, Michael Wacha, and Jaime Garcia. They could count on Wainwright to be in there, but even in a best case scenario, that leaves them one starting pitcher short and with a questionable top of the rotation. Fernandez would help them solve that issue for at least the next three years. Going after Fernandez is something that the Cardinals usually wouldn’t do. However, perhaps Lynn’s injury and the uncertainty surrounding Wainwright’s future will persuade the Cardinals to think outside the box and be open to trading for someone like Fernandez.

The Cardinals have one of the deepest farm systems in baseball. They also have a surplus of young talent. It would likely require the Cardinals to give up someone like Randal Grichuk or Stephen Piscotty. The Cardinals would likely balk at giving up Grichuk. Piscotty could be the centerpiece of the trade. They’d likely need to throw in at least one more top prospect, but that’s something that the Cardinals are in a position to be able to do.

It would certainly be a bold move for the Cardinals. It would go against everything we know about them. But the times are changing. The Cardinals should at least consider trading for Fernandez because talents like him usually aren’t available.

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