3 Cardinals to trade after dropping another series to Reds
By Kristen Wong
Cardinals trade candidate No. 2: Dylan Carlson
The talk of the season has been the Cards’ lackluster center field, and Dylan Carlson makes out to be a fine scapegoat.
Prior to the 2023 season, the Cards’ projected starting outfielders (Tyler O’Neill, Dylan Carlson, Lars Nootbaar) were all primed to take on a larger role. All three players have since suffered injuries, and one of the Cardinal’s biggest perceived strengths has now become a weakness.
If the Cardinals are looking to shake things up on offense, they should consider trading a young talent like Dylan Carlson for perhaps a more reliable cost-controlled starter (Carlson won’t be an unrestricted free agent until after the 2026 season).
The 24-year-old finished third in Rookie of the Year voting in 2021, scoring 18 homers with 65 RBIs. Carlson has slowed his pace in the last two years, posting an average 99 OPS+ in 2022 and a 98 OPS+ in 2023; however, the explosive outfielder has the defensive chops and power to make an impact on many playoff-contending rosters.
While O’Neill likely stays on the Cardinals as the club’s go-to starter, Carlson may be on the outs amid St. Louis’ overall sluggish offensive form in 2023. The Cardinals should be able to get their money’s worth in a potential Carlson trade and could start looking for suitors in the following weeks.