MLB Trade Rumors: Cardinals and Twins have begun preliminary trade talks
By Josh Hill
It’s MLB Trade Rumors season, and both the Cardinals and Twins have reportedly begun trade discussions ahead of the deadline.
We’ve reached that point in the MLB season when the buyers have separated themselves from the sellers, and are now trying to find a partner in the trade market.
The Minnesota Twins are in the middle of an abysmally awful season, and as the trade deadline approaches it’s becoming more and more likely that they end up as sellers. That’s great news for the St. Louis Cardinals, who after losing ace Jake Flaherty have begun to crater in a very winnable NL Central race.
St. Louis needs starting pitching, and the Twins appear to have exactly that for sale. Naturally, the two sides are in the beginning stages of talking about potential deals where one hand washes the other.
MLB Trade Rumors: Cardinals, Twins beginning trade discussions
According to MLB insider Robert Murray, the Cardinals and Twins have begun the process of talking about trades, although the needle isn’t moving quite yet.
"Indeed, the Cardinals and Twins have had trade discussions, sources said, with talks described as preliminary and more of a “feeling out than anything.”"
There’s still a month and change before the trade deadline arrives, so it’s notable that the two teams are connecting this far out in advance. But even though trade discussions are being broached, pulling off an actual deal will be a lot more complicated than it seems.
Minnesota’s best available starter is Jose Berrios, who would be an instant boon to the St. Louis rotation. However, he’s controllable for the next handful of years which means his price tag will be hefty.
Outside of Berrios the Twins rotation leaves a lot to be desired as far as trade interest is concerned. J.A. Happ could be an option, and he’d be a half-year rental at whatever remains of his $8 million contract he signed in the offseason.
Another possible target could be Kenta Maeda, although he’s also club-controlled for the next few seasons. Injuries have stunted Maeda’s production this season, but since returning from the IL he’s beginning to look like the ace Minnesota hoped it would be getting.
Of course, the better Maeda pitches for the Twins the more expensive he’ll be in the trade market. All of that is assuming the Twins would be willing to move him, which it seems they aren’t if Berrios is coming up in conversation before Maeda is.
St. Louis needs to figure something out before the deadline, whether it’s Berrios or someone else. Trade talks being broached this far out from the deadline seems to indicate the front office wants to make a move, which while complicated is a relief to fans hoping the right piece can be added to salvage the season.