Fansided

Buy or sell: Evaluating the NL contenders at the trade deadline

By Joshua Sadlock

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 16: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a baseball game at Citizens Bank Park on July 16, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 16: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a baseball game at Citizens Bank Park on July 16, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 04: Paul Goldschmidt #46 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after striking out in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners during their game at T-Mobile Park on July 04, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 04: Paul Goldschmidt #46 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after striking out in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners during their game at T-Mobile Park on July 04, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

3. St. Louis Cardinals: Sell

The Cardinals have not been to the playoffs since 2015, which is an eternity for a franchise that has not missed the playoffs more than three straight years since failing to qualify from 1997 through 1999. From 2000 to 2015, the Cardinals made the playoffs 12 times out of 16 years. This type of drought is not considered acceptable for one of baseball’s proudest clubs.

St. Louis has seemingly done everything in its power to keep up with the Chicago Cubs and Brewers. They attempted to shower David Price, Justin Upton and Jason Heyward with nine-figure deals. Ultimately, the Cards failed in their pursuit of marquee free agents, which seems like a win in hindsight given how awful all of those contracts look now. Missing out on premier free agents only forced the front office to pull the trigger on blockbuster trades for Marcell Ozuna and Paul Goldschmidt.

With a payroll that checks in seventh in all of baseball at a shade over $164 million, the Cardinals are clearly built for the here and now. Their ability to develop homegrown talent is what has allowed them to suffer only one sub-.500 season in the 21st Century. Unfortunately, all of the wheeling and dealing for stars like Goldschmidt and Ozuna has left the farm system completely tapped out, especially when it comes to starting pitching.

Sitting only a half game out of the second Wild Card, St. Louis can fairly easily convince themselves that a playoff spot is right there for the taking. Sure — that’s true, but it’s no longer wise for the Cardinals to continue shipping out elite prospects for win-now pieces. They aren’t as young as the Brewers and don’t have the financial means to keep trying to match the Cubs dollar for dollar. Nolan Gorman is their only can’t-miss prospect, and he’s still at Single-A. The Cardinals need to be selective sellers at this deadline and hope that their lineup can find a way to hit in the second half. One trade chip to watch is former All-Star starter Carlos Martinez, who appears to have taken well to his new role as closer.

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