Cardinals rumors: A trade chip hint, Goldschmidt suitor, new bullpen piece

Cardinals Rumors: Is Dylan Carlson on the trade block?

One way or another, expect the Cardinals to clear up their outfield logjam at the trade deadline. It won’t make much of an impact whether they are buying or selling, because all three of Dylan Carlson, Tyler O’Neill and Lars Nootbaar are valuable pieces for a contender.

Just last season, St. Louis reportedly did not want to include Carlson in trade talks for then-Washington Nationals star Juan Soto. Soto was eventually traded to the San Diego Padres instead.

Carlson is finally back from the injured list, but won’t be getting his starting center field spot back anytime soon. Oli Marmol has been impressed with Tommy Edman, specifically defensively, of late.

“What he has shown in center field has been pretty darn impressive,” Marmol said. “If you look at our outfield defense this year, the reality is it hasn’t been very good. We’ve got time without the guys we were planning on having out there being out there.”

With limited playing time to give Carlson, especially once Lars Nootbaar and Tyler O’Neill return from injury, the Cards would be best suited trading away the 24-year-old for incremental improvements on other parts of their roster, such as the pitching staff. Carlson is a former top prospect and has played well in the majors before. He’s a building block for a rebuilding team. St. Louis, however, needs pitching help if they are to improve in 2023 and beyond.