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Cardinals rumors: 3 All-Stars not named Juan Soto to trade for at the deadline

By Miranda Remaklus

Nationals right fielder Juan Soto. (Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports)
Nationals right fielder Juan Soto. (Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 22: Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs takes the field before the start of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 22, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 22: Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs takes the field before the start of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 22, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

The St. Louis Cardinals have a hefty wish list for the trade deadline. Many of those needs could be met through trading for some All-Stars.

The Cardinals are in the market for some pitching help, either starting or relief, and a catcher with some pop.

Losing Jack Flaherty until at least mid-August with shoulder issues to not getting any consistency from their relievers, the Cardinals have had some hits to their pitchers. The Cardinals will need to have some major help from their pitching staff if they want to compete for the postseason.

Yadier Molina is expected to go on a rehab assignment soon following an extended stay on the injured list that took him back home to Puerto Rico. In the meantime, the Cardinals have been trying to gain some consistency with who they have in Andrew Knizner, Austin Romine, and Ivan Herrera.

Herrera, who was believed to be Molina’s heir-apparent, failed to gain the consistency many hoped he would and has returned to AAA Memphis. Knizner has been streaky but was on a roll just before the All-Star break. He, however, doesn’t have the defensive prowess of Molina. Romine has been a suitable backup.  With so much really in flux, it would not be surprising to see the Cardinals find a top defensive catcher that can find consistency at the plate.

Let’s take a look at some All-Stars the Cardinals could trade to get.

3. Willson Contreras

It’s one of those ‘probably not gonna happen, but wouldn’t it be something’ kind of moves.

Contreras would be a great piece for the Cardinals to try to get, though. Especially if they could sign him before he could hit free agency. With legendary catcher Yadier Molina retiring at the season’s end and still on the injured list, the Cardinals need a catcher who can hit and field the position. The catchers currently on the roster are not filling this need. At all.

Contreras is currently hitting .258/.372/.471 with an OPS of .843. He has 18 doubles, a triple, 14 home runs, 50 runs scored, and 36 RBI.

Even if this season’s fire sale from the Cubs includes Contreras being dealt, it would be highly unlikely Contreras would be traded to the Cardinals. The NL Central foes have one of the biggest rivalries in baseball. Fans on both sides would revolt.

That said, it would be an intriguing move!

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