The Cardinals declared a few weeks ago they wouldn’t become a seller, but their slide is so shocking it can’t be ruled out now. Though, as one rival said, “The Cardinals never sell.”
If they do sell, free agents to be Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty should go. With their outfield glut, Tyler O’Neill is another logical trade candidate. He’d fit the Yankees, who could use a left fielder.
The speculation about trades for Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado seems unrealistic. The Cardinals’ immense popularity is enhanced by those two superstars, and both have full no-trades.
The Royals have gotten calls on star catcher Salvy Perez, but they are disinclined to trade him, and he has veto rights, as well. “Someone has to motivate [the Royals] and appeal to him, but I don’t see that happening,” one source said about the legacy Royal.
The two Central divisions are likely to become trade central, with the Royals already selling, and all but the Twins and Brewers at least candidates to sell.
Rivals think Cubs honcho Jed Hoyer has the juice to sell if he wants, with star starter Marcus Stroman, who has an opt-out after 2023, and Cody Bellinger, on a one-year deal, candidates to bring back a haul. Drew Smyly and Kyle Hendricks are other trade possibilities, though the 30-37 Cubs have the best run differential in their division (minus-1).
The crosstown-rival White Sox, with a talented roster, are still seen as unlikely to sell. Lucas Giolito, a free agent after the year, and longtime shortstop star Tim Anderson would be the most interesting trade pieces, assuming they won’t even talk about young starter Dylan Cease.