Cardinals rumors: St. Louis could break trends with trade for pitcher

With the trade deadline looming and the St. Louis Cardinals expected to make some moves, it would be something to see them back one move that could break a trend.

The St. Louis Cardinals are expected to make some moves for pitching as the trade deadline approaches. One move could break that would buck a trend dating back to 1997.

The Cardinals have shown interest in Cincinnati Reds righty Tyler Mahle. But, as Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports, trades between division rivals don’t happen.

After 19 games, Mahle is 5-7 with a 4.40 ERA. He’s thrown 104.1 innings, 39 walks, and struck out 114 batters. He’s a pitcher with a ground ball rate of 36.5 percent and a good number of his opponents will pull at 40.7 percent.

A move to get this pitcher would be better for the Cardinals than the last trade between division rivals. On Nov. 10, 1997, the Cardinals and Reds completed a trade that sent Jeff Brantley to St. Louis in exchange for Dmitri Young. It was toward the end of his career when Brantley spent one season with the Cardinals going 48 games with an 0-5 record and 14 saves. Young was drafted by the Cardinals where he spent two seasons, but spent four seasons with the Reds before playing for the Detriot Tigers and Washington Nationals.

Most teams are hesitant to trade with their division rivals. There are many notable moves but remembering a previous deal involving the Cardinals sending pitcher Ernie Broglio to the Chicago Cubs for future Hall of Famer Lou Brock in June 1964, would make many reluctant to trade with a division rival.

Mahle would be an interesting acquisition for the Cardinals, who are in desperate need of pitching. Cardinals fans just have to hold hope that such a trade wouldn’t cost too high in MLB-ready players or prospects that would make facing the Reds in the future a real dread.