MLB rumors: Snitker’s plan for Grissom, Cardinals trade block, Yankees whispers, and more
By Josh Wilson
Cardinals fan favorite could get traded
The St. Louis Cardinals are at a crossroads, and it might lead to them having to part with a beloved long-time member of the franchise to get what they need to get things back on track.
The Cardinals should have been competing with the Milwaukee Brewers for the division lead this season based on offseason moves, but instead at 10-23, they sit dead last in the NL Central. It’s abysmal, but still early, and St. Louis needs to do something, stat.
The pitching has been a huge part of the issue. Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors suggested that Tommy Edman could be on the move in return for a stable, reliable starting pitcher, which the Cardinals desperately need.
“If somebody comes and makes them a strong offer with some kind of controllable pitcher they could have beyond this year, maybe (they) entertain it,” MLB Trade Rumors Steve Adams said, H/T SI. We’ll note that this is well-informed speculation, not an actual report on what the team’s motivation is. But it makes sense.
Ironically, this would feel emotionally similar to a trade the Cardinals made last year. They sent out fan-favorite Harrison Bader in return for Jordan Montgomery last season. Montgomery, still on the roster, is 2-4 through his six starts with a higher walks per nine innings and lower strikeouts per nine innings than he provided St. Louis last year.
Edman has the team’s second-highest WAR, behind only Paul Goldschmidt. It would be a tough move, but if it’s the cost to get a needed piece, it might have to be done.