Cardinals Rumors: Jack Flaherty trade, Marmol’s hot seat, Goldy suitor?

Cardinals Rumors: A new home for Jack Flaherty?

It has not been a good year for Jack Flaherty.

With rumors swirling that Flaherty’s comments prompted Willson Contreras’s removal at catcher, perhaps it’s time the former NL Cy Young candidate finds a new home. Per Jim Bowden, the Arizona Diamondbacks could be interested in the rental.

"“Jack Flaherty will be a free agent after this season and there is no indication the Cardinals are trying to extend him, at least during the regular season, so moving him now for a prospect package could make sense, and they could still try to re-sign him in the offseason if warranted,” Bowden wrote. Flaherty, 27, is a tremendous competitor and the type of player you want in your clubhouse in a pennant race. I realize it’s somewhat of a gamble for Arizona, but maybe less of a gamble than some of the rookie starters the Diamondbacks are sending out there now."

Bowden suggested the Cardinals could receive some young starting pitching back in return for Flaherty, essentially trading a proven starter for years of control and potential. Nate Savino, a third-round pick in the 2022 draft who is out injured with a shoulder issue, could be a smart target.

It’s been a mess of a season for Flaherty and the Cards. He was forced to miss his London Series start on Sunday with right hip tightness. FanSided’s Kristen Wong summed up the Cardinals current predicament nicely:

"“One of the lowlights of the game was definitely Adam Wainwright, who allowed 11 hits and a season-high seven runs; he later called his performance a “perfect storm of horribleness,” which sums it up quite nicely. With Flaherty scratched and a chunk of the Cardinals’ clubhouse out due to illness, the question is whether the Cards will have any fight left in them to give London fans a run for their money.”"

Hopefully, things will only get better from here.