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3 Cardinals who don’t deserve to be on the roster past the trade deadline

By Miranda Remaklus

ST LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 26: The Gateway Arch as seen through the scoreboard at Busch Stadium during a game between the St. Louis Cardinals. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 26: The Gateway Arch as seen through the scoreboard at Busch Stadium during a game between the St. Louis Cardinals. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 04: Manager Oliver Marmol # 37 of the St. Louis Cardinals removes Drew VerHagen #34 of the St. Louis Cardinals during the sixth inning of Game Two of a doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 04, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 04: Manager Oliver Marmol # 37 of the St. Louis Cardinals removes Drew VerHagen #34 of the St. Louis Cardinals during the sixth inning of Game Two of a doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 04, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /

The Cardinals have a potentially active trade deadline approaching. There are some players that will soon be missing from the roster.

The Cardinals are expected to be active at the trade deadline in an effort to improve for a final push towards the playoffs. The team could end up looking dramatically different in the effort.

While pitching is the biggest need the Cardinals have heading toward the deadline, the Cardinals have been connected to some big names including the biggest fish of them all this deadline in Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto. While Soto isn’t a pitcher, Soto would be a huge get for the Cardinals. The Nationals are reportedly willing to throw in pitcher Patrick Corbin. So there is that.

With names like Pablo Lopez, Tarik Skubol, and others available, there are a lot of possibilities for the Cardinals. Meaning some on the Cardinals’ current roster may be gone after the Aug. 2, deadline.

This will not only be great for the Cardinals to move on, but in some cases, this will be better for the player as they could get more opportunities with a change of scenery with a new team.

Let’s discuss who could be missing from the Cardinals roster soon.

Drew VerHagen doesn’t fit the Cardinals’ pitching needs

If the Cardinals do acquire the pitching depth they so desire, VerHagen will have no place on this roster.

He is currently on the injured list with a hip issue. He’s spent much of his time since joining the Cardinals working on things out to be MLB-ready. With a 6.65 ERA, it’s easy to see the fruits of his labor have been poor.

In 19 games, he pitched 21.2 innings and is 3-1. While he does have two holds, he does have a blown save. While he has struck out 18 batters, he has also walked 14 batters while giving up 27 hits, 18 runs with 16 of those earned, and five home runs.

VerHagen was an attractive option for the Cardinals as a career ground ball pitcher. This season he’s only induced 33.8% grounders while boasting a career-high with 40.8% fly balls. That’s not what the Cardinals typically like in their pitchers.

VerHagen was signed to a two-year deal worth $5.5 million. It’s unlikely he would be a trade worthy candidate, but the Cardinals may be forced to take the hit and release him if they can acquire high-quality pitching depth at the deadline.

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