The St. Louis Cardinals are gearing up for a crucial push in the 2025 MLB playoff race, with the trade deadline just hours away. Sitting just above .500 and trailing the National League Central leaders by nine games, the Cardinals face a pivotal choice between selling off veterans or making strategic additions to keep their postseason hopes alive.
General Manager Chaim Bloom, stepping into a leadership role following John Mozeliak's departure, has signaled a careful yet decisive approach. According to sources close to the organization, the Cardinals are balancing the desire to remain competitive this season with a recognition that a modest rebuild may still be necessary. This dual aim is driving their deadline strategy: offload some expiring contracts and veterans unlikely to fit long-term plans, while acquiring young, cost-controlled talent with upside.
Notably, closer Ryan Helsley, who stated “I would say it’s 90 percent I go, 10 percent I stay,” appears headed out. Despite his desire to remain in St. Louis, Helsley’s impending free agency and the Cardinals’ shifting priorities make his trade likely. Helsley, regarded as one of the premier closers available, has seen a dip in dominance this season with a .415 batting average against his fastball, but his strike-throwing ability and velocity keep his value high for contending clubs seeking bullpen reinforcements. Helsley’s departure would mark a significant change in the Cardinals’ late-inning arsenal, but the front office aims to recoup valuable prospects or young talent in return to fuel future competitiveness.
Veteran pitcher Sonny Gray, who has posted a 4.33 ERA in 21 starts this year, reportedly prefers to stay in St. Louis at least through the end of the season. However, his considerable salary and declining trade value make him a potential candidate for a financial-motivated move if a suitable offer emerges. Gray’s underlying numbers including a strong strikeout percentage and a 3.02 FIP reflect that he could still be a useful rotation piece for contending teams, though the Cardinals’ farm rebuild may compel them to shop him hard if price concessions can be achieved.
While the Cardinals look poised to move some higher-salary veterans, they remain committed to retaining cornerstone young players like Brendan Donovan, Victor Scott II, and Jordan Walker. These players, viewed as part of the franchise’s core moving forward, are off-limits in trade talks as the club focuses on maximizing the return on outgoing assets while replenishing their system with controlled, MLB-ready talent.
On the acquisition front, the Cardinals are reportedly targeting prospects with an eye on the near future. The aim is to infuse the major league roster with players who can contribute immediately, especially in areas of need such as pitching depth and outfield versatility. With trade chatter heating up around the league, St. Louis is expected to be active but measured, focusing on value over headline-grabbing blockbuster deals.
Manager Oli Marmol’s recent comments reflect the challenging position the Cardinals occupy: "The last few games have exposed some weaknesses, but we believe the team has fight left. The trade deadline will shape our path forward; we want to be aggressive where it makes sense to support the players on this roster." Marmol’s stance underscores a preference for flexibility and deliberate moves to maintain competitiveness while building for the future.
As the trade deadline approaches on Thursday at 6 p.m. ET, all eyes will be on the Cardinals to see how they balance immediate needs with strategic long-term planning. Additions and subtractions over the coming days will have a profound impact on whether St. Louis can mount a sustained playoff push or pivot fully toward a protracted rebuild.
LATEST
- NEWS
- |
- ARTICLES
- |
- VIDEOS
FAN ARCH PODCAST NETWORK
