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6 hours ago
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The St. Louis Cardinals are hoping to be buyers at the MLB trade deadline after their strong June. But, after faltering lately, they sit 2.5 games out of a Wild Card spot. But the team will still be in the buyers' market, barring further collapse.
With the Cardinals still looking to buy, the latest update from Bob Nightengale of USA Today is a great one for the Cardinals' chances to land their ideal pitcher at the deadline.
"The Arizona Diamondbacks," Nightengale writes, "... Will definitely be sellers at the trade deadline, according to rival executives, believing they have no choice if they want to compete in 2026."
If the Cardinals are looking to buy, and the Diamondbacks are looking to sell, then two players stand out as being strong pickups for the Cardinals at the deadline. Either starting pitchers Zac Gallen or Merrill Kelly would be great additions to the Cardinals' rotation.
Arizona is in the seller's market after falling to 6.5 games out of a Wild Card spot in the NL, and will be open to moving their players on expiring deals. That includes the likes of Gallen and Kelly, along with Eugenio Suarez and Josh Naylor.
While the Cardinals don't need either offensive addition, the availability of the starters is a nice plus for the team. St. Louis has been linked to starters in the trade market for a while now, and it's thanks to the struggles of two pitchers.
MORE: Cardinals linked to All-Star, Gold Glove catcher in strange deadline move
Miles Mikolas and Erick Fedde have struggled this season, with Fedde sitting at a 4.83 ERA and a 3-9 record in his 19 starts this season. While he had a complete game shutout, his other starts have paled in comparison.
Mikolas, meanwhile, has a 4.94 ERA and a 5-6 record through 18 starts. His first start in July saw Mikolas tie the MLB record for most home runs given up in one start, as he surrendered six to the Chicago Cubs in a six-inning, eight earned run outing.
The Cardinals could move on from both starters, but would have to do so in different ways. Fedde can be traded or cut, but with Mikolas having a full no-trade clause, the only way to move on from him is by waiving the veteran Cardinals righty.
If St. Louis could land either Gallen or Kelly, moving on from both struggling veterans would be a lot easier to manage. That's why this update from Nightengale is such great news for the team.
With a limited starting pitching market, if the Cardinals decide to buy, the more starters on the market, the better off the Cardinals will be in trying to land a starter to pair with Sonny Gray in the rotation.
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