Following a disappointing series sweep at the hands of the Arizona Diamondbacks, the St. Louis Cardinals appear poised to become sellers at the MLB trade deadline. With the team hovering just above .500 and playoff hopes fading, president of baseball operations John Mozeliak acknowledged that recent performance has influenced the team’s direction.
Mozeliak indicated that opposing teams are showing increased interest in some of St. Louis’ impending free agents. While veterans like Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, and Miles Mikolas have no-trade clauses and are likely to remain with the club, several other players could be on the move.
Here are three Cardinals who seem most likely to be traded before the deadline:
3. Steven Matz (Relief Pitcher)
Now in the final year of a four-year, $44 million contract, Steven Matz has transitioned into a full-time bullpen role after inconsistent stints in the starting rotation. The move has worked well—this season, he’s posted a 3.29 ERA and a career-best 1.14 WHIP across 52 innings in 29 appearances.
Matz relies on inducing contact with a steady mix of sinkers, curveballs, and changeups. While his $12.5 million salary is steep for a middle reliever, his improved performance and expiring deal could make him appealing to contending teams seeking bullpen depth. He’s one of the most probable Cardinals to be dealt.
2. Erick Fedde (Starting Pitcher)
Fedde’s trade value has taken a hit this season, but his durability might attract teams in need of rotation depth. Despite struggling to a 4.83 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in 98.2 innings, he hasn’t missed a start. His strikeout numbers are down, and he’s giving up more walks and hard contact compared to last season, when he returned from the KBO and posted a strong 3.30 ERA.
Fedde won’t be a centerpiece for any team, but he could serve as an injury replacement or back-end option for a contender. He’s in the final year of a $7.5 million contract.
1. Ryan Helsley (Relief Pitcher)
Among all Cardinals trade candidates, Ryan Helsley is the most valuable. The 31-year-old closer is set to become a free agent after this season, and while the Cardinals could re-sign him, they may opt to trade him for a solid return as part of a larger retool.
Although not quite at the All-Star level he reached last year—when he finished ninth in NL Cy Young voting—Helsley remains effective. In 34 innings this season, he has a 3.18 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and 37 strikeouts. He’s still throwing triple-digit fastballs and showcasing his elite fastball-slider mix, though his hard contact rate has risen.
If St. Louis chooses to reset, Helsley could be a key trade piece to bring in high-value prospects.
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