MLB trade rumors: 5 moves the Cardinals should make

2. Acquire Jeremy Hellickson

St. Louis’s starting pitchers have been relatively solid in the early going of the season, but they could use an upgrade at the bottom of their rotation. Veteran Adam Wainwright is now 35 years old, and he has not pitched well this season, or last. It may be time for the Cardinals to use him in a middle relief role instead. The team also has two starters who have been injury prone in the past in Lance Lynn, and Michael Wacha.

Although they have both pitched very well to this point, injury concerns with pitchers should never be taken lightly. In comes Jeremy Hellickson, who the Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly listening to offers on him. Hellickson has played very well this season and last, and could provide the Cardinals with solid rotation depth. Hellickson is sporting 3.71 ERA with a 4-1 record.

A pitcher’s record isn’t always an indicator of how effectively they have been pitching, but their ERA certainly is. Hellickson would potentially be a rental, as he is set to become a free agent at the end of this season. With that said though, that could come into the Cardinals favor because it most likely won’t cost them much to acquire him. Giving up one or two middle-lower tier prospects won’t hurt St. Louis in the long run, and Hellickson could certainly help them out in the short term.