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3 trades Cardinals shouldn’t wait to make after Jack Flaherty injury

By Mark Powell

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 23: Starting pitcher Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 23: Starting pitcher Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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May 5, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher John Means (47) and catcher Pedro Severino (28) celebrate following the final out of a no-hit 6-0 victory against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
May 5, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher John Means (47) and catcher Pedro Severino (28) celebrate following the final out of a no-hit 6-0 victory against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

2. John Means

The Baltimore Orioles don’t want to trade John Means, to be clear. The artist of just one of the six no-hitters so far this season will cost a pretty penny, but Baltimore is nowhere near contention at the moment. If the Cardinals offered a prospect-centric package with perhaps a few prospects ranked in their top-10, then the O’s would have a tough time turning it down.

Means’ stuff isn’t as electric as Flaherty’s or Scherzer’s, but he’s among the most cerebral pitchers at the major league level. The 28-year-old has a 2.05 ERA in just over 70 innings pitched. With three arbitration-eligible seasons remaining, there’s a chance the Orioles want to avoid that offseason drama altogether.

1. Jon Gray

Gray is a near-certainty to be traded before the deadline. Our own Robert Murray deemed Gray “the most likely” Rockies started to be dealt before late July, stating “there are rumblings that he could be among the first players traded this season.” This suggests that Gray is not only affordable, but within the Cardinals reach as the Rockies are already admitting defeat on the 2021 season.

The mad rush for Gray’s services also suggest St. Louis shouldn’t wait.

Gray has a 3.71 ERA in 60 innings pitched so far this season. Those are solid numbers, and his pitch sequencing can be elite with the right catcher behind home plate (see: Molina, Yadier). He’s a free agent after this season, meaning the Rockies need to cash in on him for prospects as soon as possible.

The fit is there. What are the Cardinals waiting for?

Next. Cardinals get brutal injury update on ace Jack Flaherty. dark

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