As the MLB offseason intensifies, the St. Louis Cardinals should focus on teams interested in trading for a starting pitcher. Having already allowed two starting pitchers to enter free agency, there are three pitchers on their roster with a strong chance of being traded before Spring Training begins.
Three Cardinals Starting Pitchers That Could Be Traded Soon
Among the pitchers the Cardinals are looking to move, Steven Matz appears to be the most likely candidate. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Cardinals anticipate receiving “interest” in the left-hander.
Matz is in the final year of his contract with the Cardinals, set to earn $12.5 million this season, with no trade protections. The 33-year-old becomes an appealing trade option for the Cardinals due to their desire to reduce payroll and the flexibility to move him to the team offering the best deal.
2024 was a challenging year for Matz, as injuries limited his performance. He was sidelined with a back strain on May 1st and didn’t return until September. In total, he pitched only 44.1 innings, posting a 5.08 ERA with 33 strikeouts.
While Matz is no longer the high-value asset he once was with the Mets, his ability to start games or provide bullpen depth makes him an attractive option for teams seeking roster solutions, especially with the added benefit of contract flexibility for the future.
Moving On From A Longtime Starter
Another pitcher in the final year of his contract with the Cardinals is Miles Mikolas, who is set to earn $17.6 million in 2025. Mikolas has been with the team since returning from Japan in 2018.
However, trading Mikolas would be complicated for a few reasons. First, he has a no-trade clause, meaning he would need to approve any trade. Additionally, at 36 years old, he is coming off a season with his highest ERA since returning from Japan, posting a 5.35 mark.
The steep salary also makes him a difficult piece to move. If the Cardinals do trade him, they may have to retain part of his salary. The team will likely look to move Mikolas as they focus on younger talent and cost-cutting. He could potentially be included in a trade package involving star players like Nolan Arenado or Ryan Helsley.
Despite his struggles in 2024, Mikolas has been healthy over the past three seasons, pitching 171.2 innings in 2024 and more than 200 innings in the two previous seasons. His ability to eat innings makes him a solid option for teams looking for a reliable back-end starter in their rotation.
Reversing A 2024 Deadline Deal
At the 2024 trade deadline, the Cardinals acquired Erick Fedde in a deal that sent Tommy Edman to the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, with the team’s playoff hopes falling short last season, their priorities have shifted, and Fedde’s performance after the trade was underwhelming.
Fedde, who returned from the Korean League in 2024, pitched well with the Chicago White Sox prior to the trade, posting a 3.11 ERA in 21 starts. He finished with a 7-4 record and a 4.7 WAR. After joining the Cardinals, he made 11 starts, recording a 3.72 ERA, a 2-5 record, and a .9 WAR.
Fedde’s contract is easier to trade than Mikolas’. At 31 years old, he is set to make $7.5 million in 2025, and the Cardinals are unlikely to extend his contract when it expires at the end of the season due to their focus on developing younger pitchers for their major league roster.
While the Cardinals aren’t as eager to move Fedde as they are Matz or Mikolas, he had the most successful 2024 season, is the youngest of the three, and has the lowest salary. As a result, he could offer the best return in a trade, which could make him an appealing option for the Cardinals to move.
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