Cardinals: 1 trade to make up for Steven Matz injury

The St. Louis Cardinals could be down another starting pitcher in free-agent acquisition Steven Matz. If Matz has to miss time, a trade is a must.

The Cards rotation was already a weak spot, and a sore point for most fans who expected more from the front office to address that need this offseason.

That only increased when Matz left Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates just four pitches into his start.

“An 11:30 [a.m.] game, the bullpen has been taxed and I thought I’d just stay with myself and try to get through it and get some outs, but I just didn’t feel like myself,” said Matz. “I can’t say enough about Rondón. He picked me up and picked the team up. It was huge.”

Shoulder stiffness is the official diagnosis for now, but Matz will undergo an MRI, and the Cards will learn exactly how serious this injury is.

Cardinals scouting Steven Matz replacement?

A replacement might be going a bit far, but the Cards were seen scouting Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Frankie Montas recently. Montas has been connected to a number of teams, including the New York Mets and Chicago White Sox, both of which need starting pitching as well.

MLB insider Robert Murray hinted at what it might take to acquire the likes of Montas, who is signed through next season.

"“Montas, 29, will require a haul in a potential trade, which has me hesitant that the Cardinals will be major players for his services. That said, he is signed through next season, and that could enhance the chances of a potential trade. But president of baseball operations John Mozeliak has hardly shown a willingness to part with his top prospects and, in all likelihood, a Montas deal will require one of Nolan Gorman, Matthew Liberatore or Jordan Walker to be the headliner.”"

That would be a haul for the A’s, who would jump at the opportunity to deal Montas and restock their farm system. At 29 years old, Montas does not fit the A’s competitive window. However, he’d be perfect for St. Louis.