Cardinals tried landing $60 million All-Star slugger at previous trade deadline

The St. Louis Cardinals were sellers at the 2025 MLB trade deadline, shipping off relievers Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton, and Steven Matz. While they didn't buy at the deadline, around a year ago, they nearly bought one of the best sluggers on the market.

According to Derrick Goold of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals previously tried to acquire Athletics slugger Brent Rooker to bolster their outfield. But, they couldn't get a deal done, and Rooker signed a $60 million extension with the Athletics.

"There are fewer and fewer of those types of hitters available via trade, and they're pricey on the open market," Goold said. "At one point a year or so ago it sure seemed like Brent Rooker would be the answer for the Cardinals via trade, but that never developed because he signed an extension to stay an A..."

The Cardinals, with their three left-handed hitting outfielders (Lars Nootbaar, Victor Scott II, and Alec Burleson), the team had been looking to add a right-handed hitting outfielder to have better flexibility in the outfield.

To do so, as Goold mentions, the Cardinals had been inquiring with the Athletics to land Rooker in a deadline deal. While it didn't go through, he would've been a great addition.

In 2025, Rooker has a .274 batting average with a .848 OPS in 112 games. Rooker has 199 hits, 69 runs scored, 24 doubles, three triples, 23 home runs, and 63 RBIs on the season.

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Just a year ago, he had 160 hits, 82 runs scored, 26 doubles, two triples, 39 home runs, and 112 RBIs. His .927 OPS was also incredible, and yet, he didn't make the All-Star team.

But in 2023 and 2025, he was an All-Star. Since turning his career around with the Athletics, he's been one of the better sluggers in baseball over the past three seasons.

If the Cardinals could've brought him in, the outfield would have a lot more versatility, and it could've potentially led one of their outfielders to be dealt in a trade either in the offseason or at the 2025 trade deadline.

But, since a deal wasn't completed, the Cardinals moved forward with different plans, as they hope Ivan Herrera can figure things out in the outfield, and Jordan Walker can figure things out as a hitter.

The Cardinals tried to land Rooker at a prior trade deadline, but couldn't get a deal through. It would've been a great move, as Rooker has proven he's more than worth the $60 million contract he earned amid his incredible 2024 season.

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