The St. Louis Cardinals are entering a crucial stretch with the MLB trade deadline just weeks away. Sitting at 51-46, they’re third in the NL Central and just 1.5 games behind the final Wild Card spot. While still in the postseason picture, they’re currently on the outside looking in. If they stay within reach, they’ll likely act as buyers at the deadline. That said, it’s tough to justify giving up top prospects given how uncertain their playoff chances truly are.
Sure, making the playoffs would be exciting — and yes, the Cardinals should look to improve if they’re realistically in the hunt. But trading away the best talent in their farm system for a short-term boost? That’s a move that doesn’t quite make sense.
This team has already outperformed expectations and could certainly grab a postseason spot — especially if President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak is aggressive at the deadline. But even with a big splash, how likely are the Cardinals to beat October powerhouses like the Dodgers, Phillies, or Cubs? Anything’s possible in the playoffs, but selling prized prospects only to face long odds doesn’t seem worth the risk.
With that in mind, there are a few prospects the Cardinals absolutely shouldn’t consider moving — starting with JJ Wetherholt, a top-tier shortstop prospect. Wetherholt, ranked No. 1 in the organization by MLB Pipeline, has done nothing but rake this season, hitting .303/.425/.487 with eight homers and 36 RBIs in 65 games. Recently promoted to Triple-A Memphis, he’s already showing promise at the highest minor-league level and could potentially contribute to the big-league club soon. While Masyn Winn has shortstop locked down, Wetherholt could slide over to second base and be a key part of the Cardinals’ young core. Trading him would be a massive mistake.
Another player the Cardinals must hold onto is Quinn Mathews, their top pitching prospect. Though he’s had a rocky season due to injuries and currently holds a 4.43 ERA at Triple-A, Mathews still has a high ceiling. With the Cardinals’ aging rotation — and two starters likely leaving in free agency — the door is wide open for Mathews to step in either later this season or in 2026. His value to the team, both now and in the near future, makes him too important to deal.
Finally, there’s Michael McGreevy, who has already pitched in the Majors and frankly should be there full-time. In limited MLB appearances, he’s posted a 3.05 ERA over eight outings, and he’s shown he’s more than capable of holding his own. With veterans like Miles Mikolas and Erick Fedde struggling, keeping McGreevy in the minors is questionable. Trading him for a short-term rental when he could be a long-term rotation piece would be a baffling move.
In short, while the Cardinals are in a position to contend, it’s critical they don’t mortgage their future for a short playoff run. Wetherholt, Mathews, and McGreevy represent the next wave of talent in St. Louis — and they shouldn’t be going anywhere.
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