What a Cardinals-Tigers trade for a real ace would look like

The St. Louis Cardinals need pitching — that much is clear. Zac Gallen and Sandy Alcantara aren’t walking through that door. Could Eduardo Rodriguez be an option?

Eduardo Rodriguez is one of the hottest trade commodities in baseball. While the Detroit Tigers remain in the AL Central race, they’re still a few pieces away from really contending in what’s a crowded American League. Perhaps they could acquire some of those pieces in a trade of E-Rod, who is in a contract year and pitching lights-out baseball.

FanSided’s Rogelio Castillo floated the St. Louis Cardinals as a possible trade suitor for Rodriguez earlier this week. Should the Cards turn things around, starting pitcher is an obvious spot to upgrade.

"“Detroit should trade him while his value peaks. Speculation suggests the Cardinals, boasting an excess of certain positional players Detroit needs, particularly outfielders, could be a good fit.St. Louis neglected its rotation during the offseason to the dismay of fans. Now, they’re feeling the impact; the rotation’s ERA sits at 5.26. Detroit, however, would expect more than an ailing Tyler O’Neill or Juan Yepez.”"

The Cards don’t need another Jordan Montgomery, they need an ace. Rodriguez would be just that.

What would a Cardinals trade for Eduardo Rodriguez look like?

Any trade for Eduardo Rodriguez is sure to come with complications. He’s in a contract year, so the Cards won’t want to give up too much without some assurance of an extension. Thankfully, St. Louis has plenty of depth at a position of need for Detroit.

In this trade, not only to the Cardinals receive Rodriguez, but they get a potential spot starter in Boyd. While Boyd has struggled so far this season, he tends to go hot and cold. If St. Louis can force him to pitch to contact, and structure their defense around that style, then perhaps he can turn things around.

For the Tigers, O’Neill is a potential outfield centerpiece if he can get things right. He and Dylan Carlson can be switch if need be. Liberatore is the Cards No. 5 overall prospect and has big-league pitching experience. He would fill Rodriguez’s spot in the rotation while the Tigers wait on the likes of Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize to return from injury either this season or next.