Cardinals $44 million left-hander considered a potential trade chip

After a 14-17 start to the 2025 season, the St. Louis Cardinals are trending towards selling at the trade deadline. Their offense has been inconsistent, and their bullpen has fallen short of expectations.

The only saving grace for St. Louis has been their starting rotation, which leads the Major Leagues in quality starts. But if the Cardinals can't turn their season around, look for them to sell some pieces off.

The main candidates are Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton and Erick Fedde, but another one may have emerged this week.

Nate Hagerty of Sports Illustrated notes that left-hander Steven Matz could draw some interest this summer at the deadline.

"Cardinals left-handed pitcher Steven Matz has logged an elite 2-0 record with a 1.50 ERA, 20-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .222 batting average against and a 0.96 WHIP in 24 innings pitched across nine appearances for St. Louis this year," Hagerty noted.

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Matz has been used as both a starter and a reliever this year, thriving as a swingman option for St. Louis. But if he continues at this pace, he could have some suitors at the deadline.

He is in the final year of a four-year, $44 million contract but doesn't have a no-trade clause attached to that deal. He also is only making $11 million this year, so it won't be too hard for St. Louis to offload him.

The 33-year-old has struggled with injuries in recent years but has remained healthy in 2025. If he can avoid the injured list, then the Cardinals might be able to fetch a decent return for him.

Trading arms such as Sonny Gray and Miles Mikolas will be difficult, as both pitchers have no-trade clauses.

We'll see if Matz can keep up his early success and draw some interest.

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