Cardinals rumors: 3 elite prospects to trade, 1 to keep

The St. Louis Cardinals are still in the market to improve their roster. Some of their elite prospects may be on the trade block to get those deals completed. 

Even with the St. Louis Cardinals‘ top trade target Pablo Lopez off the market with the Marlins trade with the Twins involving Luis Arraez, the team will still look to improve. The Cardinals have several elite prospects they could move to seal a prospective deal.

The Cardinals seemingly have several prospects. Cards president of baseball operations John Mozeliak and staff are apprehensive about moving. Let’s discuss some of those elite players the Cardinals could move.

The Cardinals could trade prospect Ivan Herrera

The Cardinals signed free agent Willson Contreras to a five-year $87.5 million contract, thus filling the catching vacancy left by the retirement of Yadier Molina.

Ivan Herrera was once believed to be the heir apparent to Molina. Herrera’s assent to the major leagues did not go as anticipated, though. Herrera was brought up to play with the Cardinals during a stint when Molina was rehabilitating his knee in Puerto Rico. Herrera didn’t impress, allowing backup Andrew Knizner to take a majority of starts in Molina’s place.

Herrera is the number seven prospect in the organization and will likely get a shot to become Contreras’s backup. The Cardinals catching back up could see more playing time than they had with Molina, as Contreras can easily fit into the lineup as a designated hitter.

Herrera is sure to have an exciting spring. He is playing for his chance to finally break with the team as the backup to Contreras or to become an attractive target for a team looking for a catching prospect in exchange for starting pitching or a left-handed bat.