Cardinals rumors: Giving up on new player, a trade target, and more
By Josh Wilson
Cardinals rumors: Team could make a trade for Lucas Giolito
Lucas Giolito is being referenced heavily in connection to the St. Louis Cardinals, with The Athletic’s Jim Bowden confirming that he has come up in rumors involving St. Louis (subscription required).
He would be a good add for St. Louis, considering Gioloto’s ERA and WHIP are both better than any of the Cardinals’ current starters.
The White Sox are having an abysmal year, but Giolito is one of the bright spots. As such, expect him to be hot on the trade market, and the Cardinals to be one of the many teams trying to obtain his services. It’s a good time for Chicago to cash in.
Considering St. Louis added pitching last year that didn’t quite work, it’s important that they get it right this time around in the trade market. The bats have returned to form, but starting pitching is the biggest area they need to focus on reinforcing at the deadline.
Giolito uses a fastball frequently and mixes in a slider and changeup as well. His 4-seamer is the seventh-best in the MLB in terms of run value (-7) per Statcast among pitchers who have faced at least 100 batters.
According to Bowden, Giolito (who is a free agent this offseason) has also received inquiries from the Padres and Diamondbacks.