Cardinals rumors: 3 trade deadline deals to make, 2 to avoid

The Cardinals have stumbled back after climbing out of last place in May. The Pirates swept them this weekend. The team desperately needs change. 

With a record of 25-35, the Cardinals look terrible. The team had made strides in May to get out of last place, but a sweep at the hands of the Pirates this weekend makes things feel desperate and dire for the Cards to make a significant change. And, now!

This summer has found Oli Marmol throwing players under the bus. Tyler O’Neill was the first victim due to a perceived lack of hustle. O’Neill is now on the injured list with a back injury. The team had O’Neill change his workout routine to avoid damage, and he was trying to do that when he was accused of not hustling. It’s not sure when O’Neill will be able to return.

After some pitchers complained, Marmol shifted their new catcher, Willson Contreras, to the designated hitter position. Marmol said this demotion could be for a significant time, Contreras worked with the pitchers on what they needed from him, and he returned to the catching position after a week. The Cards signed Contreras to a five-year $87.5 million to be their catcher, and no other catcher is Yadier Molina. The team knew this when signing him and should have adapted sooner.

In both situations, the art of communicating one on one between manager and player could have made the situation better. Instead, Marmol made the issues public, creating problems and speculations. Both cases were utterly unnecessary. It makes you wonder if the team is walking on eggshells and isn’t comfortable.

While it seems highly unlikely that the team would make a change mid-season with the coaches and managers, trade deadline moves for players will be necessary if the Cardinals want to compete this season and in future seasons.

Let’s look at deals the Cardinals should seek out and some they should avoid.