MLB Rumors: Cardinals trade chip connected to division rival

FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray linked an NL Central team to St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tyler O’Neill on the “The Baseball Insiders” podcast.

The St. Louis Cardinals were many a fan or media member’s pick to win the NL Central entering the 2023 season. They did make an impressive run in the second half last year but were stunned by the Philadelphia Phillies in the Wild Card Series. But no one could have seen the Cardinals floating around last place in the entire National League. Yet, here we are.

With the team underperforming, the baseball world awaits to see if they will do something they never do — sell at the trade deadline. But if president of baseball operations John Mozeliak, who could be on the move, and to where?

During the latest episode of “The Baseball Insiders” podcast, FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray discussed potential trade pieces on the Cardinals. Murray says that one team that likes outfielder Tyler O’Neill is the Milwaukee Brewers, the Cardinals’ division rivals.

"“One team that I’ve heard, and I’ve said on the podcast before that likes O’Neill is the Brewers,”s said Murray. “Don’t necessarily know the likelihood there because that’s an in-division trade, of course.”"

You can watch the full episode of FanSided’s “The Baseball Insiders,” in the YouTube video below.

MLB rumors: Brewers linked to Cardinals outfielder Tyler O’Neill

O’Neill had been a mainstay in the Cardinals outfield since making his debut in 2018 and did experience some highs with the big league club. In 2021, O’Neill finished eighth in NL MVP voting after recording a .286 batting average, a .352 on-base percentage, a .560 slugging percentage, 34 home runs, 80 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 138 hits in 138 games played.

But in recent years, he has been limited due to injuries. This year, he last played on May 4, but has picked up a lower back strain, and has been on the injured list ever since.

In just 29 games played, O’Neill slashed .228/.283/.337 while recording two home runs, six RBI, 12 runs scored, and 21 hits.

The Cardinals do have a crowded outfield situation, which includes their top prospect Jordan Walker, Lars Nootbaar, and Dylan Carlson. O’Neill is under team control for the 2024 season, where he will become an unrestricted free agent after that.

As for the Brewers, they are in the hunt for the NL Central title and could stand to make some additions to help them compete with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, and even the Cardinals, who are not that far back from first place. But would O’Neill be that trade acquisition that helps them?

While the Brewers could stand to add some outfield depth, Murray points out that while they do like O’Neill, it is hard to see the Cardinals willingly trading him to a division rival. Not to mention, it’s not known if the Cardinals will even sell at all.