3 pitchers the Cardinals should target at the trade deadline

2. German Marquez, Colorado Rockies

Prior to the start of this season, the Cardinals and Rockies made a blockbuster trade involving star third baseman Nolan Arenado. This shook the baseball world, especially considering how much of Arenado’s contract Colorado is willing to pay to have him play somewhere else. Maybe this lopsided deal will have an affect on any future deals between the two clubs, but regardless St. Louis should still pursue right-hander German Marquez.

Marquez has fared well given the amount of starts he makes at a hitter-friendly Coors Field. The 26-year-old has posted 4.26 ERA, 1.385 WHIP, and 9 K/9 across 82.1 innings pitched this season. In his six-year career, Marquez’s ERA is considerably lower on the road (3.67) versus him home starts (4.85).

The righty is currently in the third year of a five-year, $43 million extension he signed with the Rockies in 2019. The remaining salary on Marquez’s contract is a bargain given his high ceiling and the assumptions he could perform better than we’ve seen outside of Colorado. Although that hasn’t been the case in 2021, but his overall career numbers provide enough belief in that notion.

It won’t be easy for the Cardinals to pry him away from the Rockies, especially given their desperate need for consistent starters since they came into the league. Still, Colorado’s ownership and front office has already proven to make some head-scratching moves, so who’s to say they won’t make a few more next month.