Cardinals should make this trade before season slips away

The St. Louis Cardinals are slipping in the NL Wild Card standings, with the Phillies catching up with them this week. An upgrade in starting pitching would be nice.

The Cards need pitching — that much is obvious.

Jack Flaherty is out for a bit, and even with Steven Matz potentially coming back, we’re not really sure that should be considered an upgrade.

The St. Louis rotation is Adam Wainwright, and then everyone else. That’s not going to get it done in the postseason, even if Flaherty is back in the fold and pitching well by then.

Recently, the Cards front office has reportedly checked in on Frankie Montas. Per Buster Olney, St. Louis is the favorite to acquire him, though FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray disagrees to this point:

"“But it is interesting nonetheless that rival executives believe this. Are they hearing something? Are they merely speculating? We don’t know. But I am still of the belief that acquiring Montas is unlikely for the Cardinals because 1) the absorbent asking price and 2) that Montas’ market will be extremely active and the front office has typically avoided getting into bidding wars.”"

Montas suffered an injury in his last start, but is considered day-to-day, per Athletics manager Mark Kotsay.

Should Cardinals take big swing for Frankie Montas?

Knowing the St. Louis front office, they’ll want to see Montas pitch well in his next start before trading for a potentially-injured starter. That makes sense given much of the Cards rotation is already hurt. Why deal prospects for another oft-injured starter?

St. Louis doesn’t have much in the way of pitching. Acquiring another starter to eat innings is just the beginning. If they’re serious about making the playoffs and winning a championship this year, they should chase a bullpen piece as well.