5 bold St. Louis Cardinals trade deadline predictions that don’t involve Juan Soto
102. Scouting Report. Pitcher/Hitter. Los Angeles Angels. 1. player. Pick Analysis. Shohei Ohtani
St. Louis Cardinals make a blockbuster trade for Shohei Ohtani
If the Cardinals really want to put the pedal to the floor on trying to win the NL Central and win the World Series, they could get one of the best (if not the best) players that could be traded at the trade deadline: Shohei Ohtani.
The obvious fit for Ohtani would be in the Cardinals’ rotation. On the pitching front in 2022, the reigning American League MVP has made 17 starts with a 2.81 ERA with a 142 ERA+. He also has a 2.37 FIP (suggesting that he has actually had some bad luck on the season), a 1.017 WHIP, and an average of 2.1 walks and 13.1 strikeouts per nine innings. That strikeout rate is the highest for any starting pitcher in all of baseball.
Offensively, it would be a bit more of an issue considering that Albert Pujols is on the Cardinals. However, Pujols has only been used in a part-time role and he has spent some time at first base at well. In a pinch, Ohtani could also play the outfield, which has been a weakness for team as we’ve already mentioned.
On the season, Ohtani is hitting .251/.345/.481 with 21 home runs, 59 RBI, and 16 doubles.
He isn’t a free agent until after next season so he would easily slide into the DH role for the Cardinals next season after Pujols has retired.
Next. 5 trade packages for Shohei Ohtani the Angels can’t refuse. dark