MLB trade rumors: 5 moves the Cardinals should make

3. Trade Matt Adams

Throughout Adams’ career, he has relatively been a solid hitter. He is a first baseman by trade, but the Cardinals have been using him exclusively in left field this season to get his bat in the lineup on occasion, and possibly help deal with the injuries there. It’s also possible that St. Louis is trying to build up his trade value by showcasing a newfound versatility for him this season.

Adams just doesn’t seem to fit within the Cardinals plans anymore. The team is already set at first base for the foreseeable future, and the talented outfielders they have in the majors and the minors complicate his playing time there as well. Even with the flux of injuries the Cardinals have suffered so far this season, Adams has struggled to find consistent playing time.

There are teams out there who could use Adams in their lineup, and the fact that he won’t be a free agent until 2019 helps his case as well. Teams like New York Yankees who haven’t been able to find consistency out of their first baseman, and the New York Mets who’ve struggled with injuries all over their team could use Adams’ services. His suitors aren’t limited just to those two, as a veteran with a good bat, his name in trade talks could begin to intensify as the trade deadline approaches.