2012 MLB Trade Deadline: 5 Players the Cardinals Can Use as Trade Chips

With the trade deadline only two weeks away, rumors are swirling about involving many different teams.

So far, the St. Louis Cardinals rumor talk has stayed pretty quiet. That doesn’t mean things aren’t going to happen.

As the Cardinals head into the final days before the deadline, the two areas most in need are the bullpen and the starting rotation. Adding a starter could help to resolve the bullpen problems.

In recent days the Cardinals have made moves to patch up their bullpen including the signing of Brian Fuentes and the promotion of Trevor Rosenthal from Double-A Springfield.

Fuentes struggled with the Oakland Athletics going 2-2 with a 6.48 ERA and was eventually released.

He’s currently doing a stint with the Gulf Coast Cardinals and will likely join the St. Louis Cardinals in the near future.

Rosenthal, a RHP who nearly made the big league roster out of spring training, has an 8-6 record in 17 starts at Springfield.  The Missouri native sports a 2.78 ERA and hitters are only batting .202 against him.

These additions could both be positive for the team, but you can still expect GM John Mozeliak to be shopping.

Following is a list of five potential trade chips the Cardinals could dish out if they plan to chase a top-tier pitcher. 

5. Tyler Greene 2B/SS

Why to trade him: Greene has really struggled at the plate so far in 2012. To date he is hitting .224 in a total of 176 plate appearances. He has three errors this season, but has also turned 21 double plays.

Why to keep him: Due to his lack of production at the plate, his trade value will be very minimal. He still has the potential to improve, but currently his biggest value is as an early pinch-hitter or pinch-runner. Greene’s speed and ability to fill in at multiple positions is what has kept him around this long.

4. Matt Adams 1B

Why to trade him: Adams ability as a strong hitter with huge power potential makes him a valuable trade chip. With Allen Craig’s recent production it’s entirely possible the Cardinals see him as the future at first base. If they feel that way, Adams could potentially be moved.

Why to keep him: Given Craig’s injury history, he’s not a safe bet for the long-term future. Craig definitely has the potential, but to be a true force at first base, he’s going to have to stay healthy. Adams may be the safer bet long-term.

3. Zack Cox 3B

Why to trade him: As David Freese continues to improve as a player, the chances of Zack Cox seeing regular time at St. Louis continues to dwindle. He hasn’t had an impressive year at Memphis, but still has the potential to develop into a decent third baseman in the future.

Why to keep him: Freese has yet to show that he can stay healthy throughout a season and Cox is a decent backup plan. Freese has made huge strides defensively, but has yet to truly shine at third base. Offensively, he is superior to Cox, but that is assuming he can stay on the field.

2. Matt Carpenter 1B/3B and About Anywhere Else

Why to trade him: Carpenter has the ability to play all corner infield positions, including catcher. He’s solid on both sides of the ball and has a good future ahead of him, most likely as a super-utility player. His diverse skill set gives him a decent trade value to other teams.

Why to keep him: All of the reasons to trade him are also good reasons to keep him. Given the Cardinals older roster and the injury history so far in 2012, Carpenter gives the team the ability to weather an injury storm. He doesn’t hit like Carlos Beltran, but could no doubt fill in a couple of weeks at the position in a pinch—or anywhere else for that matter. He’s the kind of player who, in a blowout game, will likely one day wind up pitching an inning like Aaron Miles.

1. Shelby Miller SP

Why to trade him: The Cardinals much-coveted top prospect Shelby Miller made his way to Triple-A Memphis this year, but it hasn’t been a good showing. The Cardinals have worked to make adjustments to Miller’s swing, but his struggles continued. His most recent start on July 14 was his most impressive in quite some time when he threw five innings giving up only one hit and no runs. A decent outing or two could ease organizational and any potential trade partner’s concerns.

Why to keep him: Miller has long excited the Cardinals fanbase as they anxiously await his arrival in the big leagues. While he is yet to make the jump, it is in his near future. It was initially believed he might be a September call-up and then plan to be in the rotation beginning in April 2013. Given his 2012 numbers, it’s possible he is a little farther off than that. He has the potential to be very good and with both Jake Westbrook and Kyle Lohse likely coming off of the books it would seem odd to give up a team’s top pitching prospect—that is, assuming they don’t get Zack Greinke or Cole Hamels in his place.