The St. Louis Cardinals’ sell-off is in full swing, with Jordan Montgomery, Jordan Hicks and Chris Stratton already out the door. Previous to buying and selling Montgomery and Stratton to the Texas Rangers, the Cardinals spoke to the Baltimore Orioles concerning the left-hander, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Put up-Dispatch experiences. He provides that the O’s have additionally talked to the Cardinals about switch-hitting heart fielder Dylan Carlson.
Goold means that Carlson hasn’t essentially been a focus in talks however moderately a price add along with the starters they’ve marketed. Even when Carlson had been seen as a standalone goal for Baltimore, there’d be some sense to it. The O’s are bursting with younger expertise, however they’re at the moment with out heart fielder Cedric Mullins on account of a groin pressure. Aaron Hicks, who’s hit properly since being launched by the New York Yankees and signing in Baltimore, can also be on the injured record in the meanwhile (hamstring pressure). The O’s have gotten sturdy manufacturing from nook outfielders Austin Hays and Anthony Santander, however prime outfield prospect Colton Cowser has struggled immensely in his first 59 plate appearances since being recalled.
Carlson, not like the opposite three gamers the Cardinals have traded prior to now 24 hours, will not be a free agent at season’s finish. He has three years of membership management remaining past the present season. A former prime prospect, himself, the 24-year-old’s standing in St. Louis has seemingly deteriorated as he’s produced at a roughly league-average degree since handing over a powerful 2021 marketing campaign.
The O’s don’t essentially want a long-term repair in heart subject, as Mullins can also be beneath group management for a number of years past the present season (by means of 2025). Nevertheless, even when Mullins returns, there’d theoretically be room for each him and Carlson within the lineup. Anthony Santander might see extra time at designated hitter, maybe chopping into the taking part in time of struggling Ryan Mountcastle (although Mountcastle’s offense has ticked up over the previous couple weeks). A speculative outfield of Hays, Mullins and Carlson can be defensively superior to the present alignment. Including Carlson to the combo would additionally open additional avenues for offseason offers. Santander is barely managed by means of the 2024 season and is due a increase on his $7.4M wage, for example.
The Cardinals, notably, are nearly sure to commerce 27-year-old right-hander Jack Flaherty earlier than Tuesday’s deadline. If Baltimore’s curiosity within the Cardinals’ pitchers prolonged past Montgomery, then it stands to purpose {that a} deal surrounding Flaherty and Carlson might nonetheless be mentioned, although the extent of the Orioles’ potential curiosity in Flaherty isn’t recognized. The best-hander is three years youthful than his now-former teammate Montgomery, however can also be having a weaker season. Flaherty’s ERA is a full run larger and he’s sporting inferior strikeout, stroll and ground-ball charges.
