MLB Trade Rumors: Cardinals discussing deals with Rockies for outfielders

The St. Louis Cardinals appear to still be in the market for outfielder help, and are talking to the Colorado Rockies about making a trade.

The St. Louis Cardinals lost out on one of the biggest names in the free agent market when Jason Heyward spurned their offer and chose to sign with the rival Chicago Cubs. Now the Cardinals are turning their attention to the trade market to fill their hole in the outfield.

According to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, St. Louis has been in discussion with the Colorado Rockies about the availability of Carlos Gonzales, Corey Dickerson, and Charlie Blackmon.

Colorado has been openly shopping all three outfielders this offseason and there appears to be ample interest on the market. With the rising cost of free agents, the trio have become increasingly attractive to buyers not looking to splurge on Alex Gordon or Justin Upton, the top two remaining outfielders on the market.

That’s been important for Gonzalez, who put aside a few injury tainted seasons to post a strong campaign in 2015. In a career-high 153 games, Gonzalez slashed .271/.325/.540 with 40 home runs and 97 RBI for the Rockies. That huge bump in power production and the rise in free agency costs have helped to make the two years and $37 million remaining on his contract a bit more palatable for would-be buyers. As such, the Cardinals are joining the Baltimore Orioles as teams interested in the outfielder.

While Gonzalez would be a solid replacement offensively for Heyward, cost-conscious St. Louis may have more interest in the pair of Dickerson and Blackmon. Dickerson (.304/.333/.536, 10 HR, 31 RBI), who missed a good portion of 2015, is not yet arbitration eligible and would be under team control through 2019. Meanwhile, Blackmon if eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter and can be controlled through the 2018 season after hitting .287/.347/.450 with 17 home runs and 58 RBI as a follow-up to his break-out 2014 season.

That all said, the Cardinals are looking at the market but don’t appear to be in any dire need to make a move. If the team does opt to stand pat, it will go with an outfield of Matt Holliday (LF), Randal Grichuk (CF), and Stephen Piscotty to start the season. However, adding an outfielder can help facilitate a move of Holliday to first base, where he’s been working heavily this winter.

To facilitate a move, the Cardinals will have to dip into their solid farm system and with more control for players like Blackmon and Dickerson, the cost in prospects will likely be heavier, as Colorado will be more motivated to accept less for Gonzalez’s heavier contract. Shortstop prospect Edmundo Sosa may be particularly attractive to the Rockies, as will any number of the quality arms in St. Louis’ system.