3 prospects Cardinals could trade for Max Scherzer at the trade deadline

The Nolan Arenado trade has made Nolan Gorman completely expendable

In terms of high-end potential and relative expendability, the likeliest prospect that could go Washington’s way in a deal for Scherzer has to be the Cardinals’ third baseman Nolan Gorman. He is the No. 2 overall prospect in the St. Louis farm system, ranking only one spot below Liberatore as the No. 29 best prospect in all of baseball. So why is a top prospect like so Gorman expendable?

Though he could play second base at the MLB level, St. Louis already has a proven superstar commodity at the hot corner in Nolan Arenado. He is under contract with the Cardinals through the 2028 season. Either a position change is required for Gorman to play for the big-league club in St. Louis, or he will inevitably have to be traded. Though not a pitcher, Washington could want him.

While he may not hit for a high average in the MLB, Gorman offers a ton of power and great defensive prowess. If the Nationals are interested in a player who could provide some of what Ryan Zimmerman used to be in his prime or maybe a glimpse at what Anthony Rendon briefly was in Washington uniform, it might serve the Nationals to ask for Gorman if they do trade Scherzer.

Overall, St. Louis has enough talent in the farm system to go out and put Missouri native Scherzer in Cardinals uniform. Given that he grew up in the area, he might even be willing to close out his hall-of-fame career playing for the hometown Cardinals. Though he may only be a rental, he is the piece that can help the Cardinals make up ground in a tight NL Central race. He is worth trading for.

If the Cardinals do want to trade for Scherzer, it will be costly to the overall farm system’s health.