Time to panic: 3 Cardinals trades to make after John Mozeliak comments

St. Louis Cardinals executive John Mozeliak made it clear the team will trade a few players prior to the trade deadline. Here’s who they should deal.

The Cardinals are 11 games out of their easiest path to the postseason, and 14 games below .500. Despite preaching patience all season long, John Mozeliak and the Cards front office are finally embracing their reality.

Mozeliak, for his part, has done everything he can to assure St. Louis of their dystopian season, letting aces like Zac Gallen and Sandy Alcantara leave the organization, and giving up on Randy Arozarena and Adolis Garcia. Whether it be his regime or those before him, the Cards mistakes are finally catching up with them.

Even Nolan Arenado, of all people, doesn’t believe he is safe from the looming St. Louis fire sale.

“Yeah, I mean, it is a business, right?” Arenado said. “I’ve been traded once and I think that shocked a lot of people at the time. So, I guess, no, it doesn’t surprise me anymore what happens in this game. But it would still be surprising seeing certain things happen, but I understand that there’s certain things that probably should.”

Arenado will likely not be traded, nor will Paul Goldschmidt. The core remains the core. However, the Cardinals do have several pieces they can trade elsewhere, should they choose. And by that Mozeliak comment, it appears they have chosen wisely.

MLB Rumors: Cardinals should trade one of their outfielders

This one is a no-brainer.

St. Louis has long stashed their young outfielders and kept them out of trade negotiations, but both Tyler O’Neill and Dylan Carlson are expected to be made available at the deadline. O’Neill has struggled this season, both on the field and with injuries. Any team acquiring him would be doing so on a discount.

For all of O’Neill’s struggles, he is a Gold Glove caliber outfielder when healthy. He also offers some pop in his bat, if that can be rediscovered via another set of hitting instructors.

Carlson, meanwhile, was floated in previous trade talks for Juan Soto at last year’s deadline. He is a former top prospect and viewed more highly in the Cardinals organization than out of it.

O’Neill is slashing just .228/.283/.337, while Carlson features a slightly improved .241/.342/.373 line. Neither will fetch all that much but perhaps some mid-level prospects in return. It’s better than nothing.