Frankie Montas trade rumors: 3 teams in desperation mode after Luis Castillo trade

3. The clock is ticking for the St. Louis Cardinals to add Frankie Montas.

Unless the St. Louis Cardinals are serious about acquiring Juan Soto at this year’s trade deadline, it’s time for president of baseball operations John Mozeliak to kick it into high gear and go get Oakland Athletics’ right-hander Frankie Montas.

The Cardinals needed an unbelievable winning streak down the stretch in 2021 just to make the playoffs despite having the likes of Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado in the lineup. With Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina ready to walk off into the sunset, the Cardinals should do everything possible to send them out on top.

The Cardinals are often the team that builds from within. But lately, St. Louis has used some of their elite prospects to secure the services of some of the best players available – namely the aforementioned Goldschmidt and Arenado. It’s time to do the same for Montas.

St. Louis has the team to compete in the batters’ box, but injuries to their starting rotation warrants an upgrade before Tuesday’s deadline. The Cardinals are locked in a battle with Milwaukee Brewers for the NL Central and are currently tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for the last Wild Card spot.

St. Louis has no choice but to go all-in on Frankie Montas. The Cardinals will have to fork over some top prospects, but Montas is under team control through next season, so that should add some form of relief.