MLB Rumors: Cardinals trade conflict, Reds distraction, Yankees answer
By Scott Rogust
MLB rumors: Former Cardinal could get in way of John Mozeliak’s trade plans
The St. Louis Cardinals have to be one of the biggest disappointments of the 2023 season. Even though their run in the postseason lasted a total of two games, the expectation was that the Cardinals would be one of the prominent contenders in the National League.
Instead? They are 40-53 on the year and sitting in last place in the NL Central division. During the All-Star break, team president John Mozeliak revealed that he plans on retooling the roster with an eye for the 2024 season at this year’s trade deadline. With the Cardinals as sellers, they will no doubt look to bring in some top prospects for their players.
The Cardinals do have some outfielders that could help out those making a push for the playoffs. One of the more notable links this season has been Tyler O’Neill to the New York Yankees. Let’s not forget that last year both teams traded with one another, with outfielder Harrison Bader heading to New York and starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery heading to St. Louis.
Well, the Cardinals could potentially lose the Yankees as a trade partner.
According to MLB Network insider Mark Feinsand, the Yankees are not only interested in Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs but also Randal Grichuk from the Colorado Rockies. Of course, Grichuk is a former Cardinals outfielder.
The Yankees are closely monitoring the corner outfield market, and while Cody Bellinger seems like a natural fit, another name that has come up per sources is Randal Grichuk of the Rockies. He’s an impending free agent making a little more than $3M for the rest of the season.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 16, 2023
Grichuk is entering the final year of his contract. He can play left field, which is what the Yankees desperately need, and that’s not an overstatement. While he is a righty bat, not the lefty bat they need as well, he fills an immediate need.
This season, Grichuk played in 55 games as of the morning of July 17, where he recorded a .300 batting average, a .364 on-base percentage, a .473 slugging percentage, five home runs, 22 RBI, 33 runs scored, and 61 hits.
With this report, this does put the Cardinals at risk of losing the Yankees as a trade partner. Especially since they were linked to their No. 13 prospect, right-handed pitcher Clayton Beeter, by Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.