As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the St. Louis Cardinals are expected to become one of the most active teams on the market. According to Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak, serious trade discussions will intensify following the MLB Draft and All-Star break.
Mozeliak explained that the schedule creates a brief pause in activity, but things will escalate quickly once the draft concludes. “The way the calendar is set up with the draft, there’s this sort of awkward break,” he said. “But, right after the draft, there will start to be a much more feverish pitch.”
The draft, scheduled for July 13–14, marks the transition point when teams shift their attention fully toward trades. While some initial conversations may already be taking place, front offices remain largely focused on drafting and scouting until that period ends.
Reports suggest the Cardinals could play a pivotal role in shaping the trade deadline. An anonymous MLB executive told The Athletic that St. Louis has a number of players that other teams are interested in, and could serve as a central figure in the market.
Potential trade candidates on the Cardinals’ roster include veterans like Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, Miles Mikolas, Erick Fedde, Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton, Steven Matz, and even rising star Jordan Walker. Outfielder Lars Nootbaar is also seen as a possible trade chip if the return is right.
Adding complexity to their strategy, the Cardinals are only one game out of a Wild Card spot. This gives the front office flexibility—they could either add reinforcements to push for the postseason or decide to trade away veterans if the team begins to fall back in the standings.
The days following the MLB Draft are expected to provide a clearer direction for the Cardinals and reveal how aggressive they intend to be at this year’s trade deadline.
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