Cardinals could trade $2 million reliever to Mariners in fire sale

The St. Louis Cardinals have picked a direction with the trade deadline looming. Rather than trying to push the chips for a run in 2025, they will likely sell.

They have three relievers on expiring contracts, those being Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton and Steven Matz. Neither of the three relievers will be back in 2026, so it certainly makes sense to trade them.

Their minor league system has been hit hard by injuries on the pitching side, so it makes sense to bolster their pitching depth. Trading their expiring contracts could help with that.

Maton has been one of St. Louis' biggest contributors this season. Thomas Gauvain of FanSided predicts St. Louis will trade him to the Seattle Mariners, a team in need of bullpen help.

"The Mariners are in need of relief help due to their 3.88 ERA as a relief corps. They rank 18th in strikeout rate with just 8.36 K/9. The Mariners are jostling for a Wild Card spot as things currently stand, and their addition of Josh Naylor cements them as buyers. Building up a bullpen is the goal of most postseason-hopeful teams, so Seattle should certainly give Phil Maton a look," Gauvain wrote.

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Maton was signed to a one-year, $2 million contract prior to the 2025 season. He proved to be the Cardinals only free agent signing.

The 32-year-old right-hander is 1-3 with a 2.35 ERA in 40 appearances and has recorded two saves this season. While he won't command as big of a return as Helsley, he could fetch a solid prospect or two if St. Louis trades him.

Seattle is in possession of an American League Wild Card spot, while St. Louis is nine games back in the National League Central and quickly falling out of contention in the Wild Card race.

Maton's price will skyrocket in the offseason, making a reunion with St. Louis highly unlikely. We'll see if they ultimately decide to trade him.

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