MLB Rumors: Cardinals open for trade deadline business, but 1 key player off table

In this week’s edition of First Pitch, let’s look at what could be a trade deadline-altering rumor involving the St. Louis Cardinals and their potential direction as August 1 draws near.

As play begins on Monday, the St. Louis Cardinals sit at the bottom of the National League Central standings with a 29-43 record. Time is of the essence for the Cardinals if they truly want to get back into the hunt for the division title (they currently sit 8.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in what has been a lackluster showing by all five teams in the division so far this season).

There have been plenty of rumors swirling about which direction the Cardinals may go at the deadline, but MLB insider Bob Nightengale believes some of those rumors may not have any merit.

MLB rumors: Cardinals look ahead, but Paul Goldschmidt will stay in St. Louis

In a recent column for USA Today, Nightengale wrote that Paul Goldschmidt, the reigning NL MVP, will not be dealt at the trade deadline, no matter how desperate the Cardinals may be. The 35-year-old Goldschmidt, who isn’t scheduled to be a free agent until 2025, is currently slashing .287/.381/.493 with 12 homers and 35 RBI. His 2.5 bWAR so far this season is far and away the leader among all Cardinals.

Goldschmidt could likely get a sizable return if the Cardinals were to trade him, and for that reason the idea of it has been picking up steam. But Nightengale says that it is “a waste of time to even try” to engage with St. Louis about landing Goldschmidt or third baseman Nolan Arenado. Both look to be key pieces for a run next season, no matter how poorly this season may end up.

While that may be good news for St. Louis fans, on the opposite end of the spectrum may be that Nightengale notes manager Oliver Marmol isn’t going anywhere any time soon either. Despite plenty of fans upset with the direction of the team, changes at the top don’t appear imminent.

So where could changes come? Elsewhere on the roster it seems, with Nightengale telling potential MLB suitors that, “if you’re interested in starters Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery, and relievers like Jordan Hicks, the Cardinals will be all ears.”