Fansided

5 dream trades the Cardinals can make once the lockout ends

By Miranda Remaklus

Charlie Morton, Atlanta Braves. (Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports)
Charlie Morton, Atlanta Braves. (Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports) /
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 27: Joe Musgrove #44 of the San Diego Padres reacts to David Fletcher #22 of the Los Angeles Angels grounding out to end the eighth inning of a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 27, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 27: Joe Musgrove #44 of the San Diego Padres reacts to David Fletcher #22 of the Los Angeles Angels grounding out to end the eighth inning of a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 27, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Joe Musgrove trade: Cardinals can take advantage of A.J. Preller

Joe Musgrove is in his final year of arbitration eligibility with the San Diego Padres and will be a free agent in 2023. Musgrove was 11-9 with two complete-game shutouts on the 2021 season. He threw 181.1 innings in 32 games pitched. He had a career-high 203 strikeouts.

Musgrove uses a slider, curveball, a four-seam fastball, a cutter, a sinker, and a changeup. The sinker averages 93.2 mph with a 24.7-inch vertical drop with an active spin of 64 percent.

Musgrove seems to have a lot of confidence in his more off-speed pitches. A reliance on off-speed pitching and trust in the defense behind you is a tactic the Cardinals teach within their system. It would seem that Musgrove would be an excellent fit within the Cardinals.

It would be interesting to see what working alongside catcher Yadier Molina and pitching coach Mike Maddux would do for Musgrove. He could be an intriguing mix with Adam Wainwright, Jack Flaherty, Dakota Hudson and Steven Matz.

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