MLB Rumors: 4 Jack Flaherty trade destinations, 1 for Cardinals to avoid

Cardinals should avoid a Jack Flaherty trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers

Don’t trade Jack Flaherty to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cardinals — just don’t.

This isn’t about trying to not help the big bad Dodgers, to be sure. If there is a deal that St. Louis feels puts the organization in the best position to succeed for the future and that happened to mean sending him to LA, then they should do it. My concern, however, is that such a deal just isn’t there.

When you look at what the Dodgers would potentially offer to upgrade the middle/back of the rotation in a trade for Flaherty, it’s hard to be totally enticed. They obviously aren’t going to be parting with top, top prospects like Bobby Miller, Diego Cartaya, Michael Busch or even Gavin Stone.

Subsequently, that would likely mean that a player like Ryan Pepiot would end up being the centerpiece of a trade package. And to this point, Pepiot’s work in MLB has not been something that should move the needle for the Cardinals. In fact, it would be a trade based on his projection, not what he’s seen.

If there’s one thing that St. Louis needs to make sure to do if they elect to trade Flaherty away, it’s ensure that they are getting not just perceived value, but value they are confident will be tangible in the future for the club. Given what the Dodgers would likely be willing to part with in such a trade, that isn’t there, which is why the Cardinals would be better served to just steer clear of it.