St. Louis Cardinals Trade Rumors: Latest Updates and Reaction

With the MLB-imposed deadline date of July 31 for non-waiver trades rapidly approaching, trade talk is heating up throughout the baseball world.

Some less fortunate teams will find themselves as sellers at the deadline, left with no option but to part with precious assets in hope of a better 2014. The St. Louis Cardinals are not one of those teams.

Perched atop the NL Central, the rookie redbirds are in position for yet another playoff run and general manager John Mozeliak is likely already pondering possibilities to improve in a few key areas.

This article will be updated frequently throughout the trade season as news and rumors begin to surface, so check back often.

Could Lohse Be a Trade Target for Cardinals?

July 26

10:31 a.m.

With the Milwaukee Brewers in a steady slide toward the bottom of the NL Central, is it possible that the Cardinals could be interested in Kyle Lohse?

Jim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio suggested that might be a good fit.

Given their history together as a team that's always a possibility. Lohse knows the players and they know him. It wouldn't be like giving him a different catcher.

A minor dust-up during a game Lohse started against the Cardinals could mean that chemistry isn't what it used to be.

In the end, it's unlikely the Cardinals would be willing to send much to Milwaukee in exchange for the right-hander.

If they decided to, it would make the decision not to sign him in the first place a bit of a head-scratcher because they could have had Lohse and kept their prospects.

Cardinals Scout Present for Brian Wilson's Audition

July 25, 2013

7:41 p.m.

When former San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson auditioned for his return to the major leagues, nearly a dozen teams were reportedly on hand to watch.

The Cardinals were included in that bunch according to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports.

Knobler reported that Wilson is said to have looked good.

The Cardinals could potentially be on the lookout for additional bullpen help to add in a veteran presence as they begin their playoff push.

Wilson had Tommy John surgery in early 2012 and is currently without a team. While the Cardinals are not in need of a closer, to have an arm with postseason success on his resume in the bullpen could be useful for the right price.

Wilson, looking for a chance to prove himself again, could be that guy.

Cardinals May Be Interested in Jake Peavy

July 23

1:15 p.m.

A report Tuesday afternoon has linked the Cardinals to Chicago White Sox RHP Jake Peavy.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports said in his column that the Cardinals and Boston Red Sox have “emerging as two potential players.”

Peavy is 7-4 this season with a 4.19 ERA, 69 Ks and a 1.16 WHIP.

Peavy would presumably be a good fit for the Cardinals who are in need of some consistency in the number two or three starter’s role.

Peavy, 32, is under control through 2014 and would mean that such a move is more than just a rental which seems to fall in line with the Cardinals way of thinking.

With Matt Garza grabbing all of the headlines, little has been said of a price tag for Peavy at this point.

Cardinals Have Inquired on Perkins, Crain

July 17

12:30 p.m.

One of the items expected to be on the Cardinals trade deadline checklist is additional relief help.

Jim Bowden of ESPN reported today that the Cardinals have at least inquired regarding Minnesota Twins closer Glen Perkins. Several other teams are in the mix as well.

The 30-year-old left-handed reliever is 1-0 with a 1.82 ERA with 21 saves and 45 strikeouts over 34.2 innings pitched in 2013.

In the same article, Bowden notes that this same group of teams has also been monitoring Chicago White Sox reliever Jesse Crain quite closely.

Crain, 32, will be a free agent at the end of the year, while Perkins is signed through 2015 with a team option for 2016.

Crain is currently nursing a sprained right shoulder, but his 2013 performance has other teams paying serious attention.

In 38 games, Crain is 2-3 with a 0.74 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 36.2 innings.

Cardinals Among Lead Garza Pursuers

July 16

9 a.m.

The Cardinals appear to be one among a group of teams still believed to be “in” on Cubs starting pitcher Matt Garza.

According to David Kaplan of CSN Chicago, the Cardinals are in the mix of “strongest pursuers.” Also on that list are the Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers.

The competition is thick at this point, but the Cubs asking price could be higher than the Cardinals are willing to play since Garza is not viewed as a number one starter.

In 2013, Garza is 6-1 with a 3.17 ERA, 62 strikeouts and a 1.14 WHIP.

In the event that Chris Carpenter does not return, Garza could be a good fit for the Cardinals as they begin a push toward the postseason. Depending on what they give up in return, he could fit into the Cardinals equation regardless of the Carpenter situation.

Cardinals Play in Starter Market Hinges on Carpenter

July 13

6 p.m.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports said Saturday that the only way the Cardinals will chase down additional starting pitching is if they’re not convinced Chris Carpenter will make a successful return.

While the need for starting help has shown itself in recent days, a healthy Carpenter would be on the same level as a major trade – only without the cost.

Rosenthal said he didn’t see the Cardinals as in on Matt Garza – despite the fact that he would be a nice fit – because GM John Mozeliak would be unlikely to trade any top prospects.

Rosenthal: Cards Unlikely to Pick Up Shortstop Midseason

July 13

6 p.m.

While the Cardinals’ September hero Pete Kozma has been good with his glove, his bat has been weak for the redbirds in 2013.

As of July 14, Kozma is batting .228/.274/.562 with one home run and 27 RBI.

Despite those numbers, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports doesn’t see the position as a potential upgrade before the deadline for the Cardinals. He said it would be hard to make a substantial move at what the Cardinals would deem to be a reasonable price.

Cardinals Trade Mitchell Boggs to the Colorado Rockies

July 9

6:40 p.m.

It was announced this evening that the Cardinals have traded relief pitcher Mitchell Boggs to the Colorado Rockies.

Boggs, who was a highly successful setup reliever in 2012, struggled mightily in the closer’s role in 2013. A demotion to Triple-A Memphis was not enough to turn Boggs’ season around upon his final return to St. Louis in May.

Boggs has spent the majority of the season in the minors trying to find the control that made him one of the best setup men in MLB in 2012.

According to MLB.com Cardinals beat reporter Jenifer Langosch, in exchange for Boggs, the Cardinals receive $206,400 from the Rockies pool of international signing bonus money.

Cardinals Release Wiggington, Promote Johnson

July 9, 2013

12 p.m. CDT

The Cardinals have officially released their first baseman/bench bat Ty Wiggington Tuesday morning.

Reports earlier in the day eluded to the possibility of such a move. Ken Rosenthal tweeted the announcement shortly before noon.

The Cardinals remain liable for the remainder of his $5 million salary through 2014.

They promoted catcher Rob Johnson to fill the vacancy. Stlsportspage.com baseball writer Rob Rains stated via Twitter that the move was presumably to allow the Cardinals to rest Molina who is nursing a knee strain.

Johnson has batted .236 in 59 games a Triple-A Memphis with seven home runs and 32 RBI before his promotion.

Cardinals Expected to Make a Roster Move Before July 9 Game

July 9, 2013

It was reported Tuesday that the Cardinals are weighing their options with veteran bench bat Ty Wiggington.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Cardinals beat writer Derrick Goold reported that the Cardinals expect to make a move before Tuesday evening's game against the Houston Astros.

Wiggington has struggled during his brief tenure with the organization batting .158 overall. At bats have been few and far between for Wiggington, who is considered a solid clubhouse presence.

Such a move would likely be made within the organization, but what it means for Wiggington is the real question. It could mean a different role on the major league club, a minor league assignment, or the Cardinals could cut their losses and release him.

The latter option would require the Cardinals to make good on the remainder of his two-year/$5 million deal.

Cards Are Searching for a Starter

July 7, 2013

As some have expected, the Cardinals appear to be in the market for a starting pitcher, but internal options could halt such a search before it ever gains steam.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Columnist Joe Strauss reports that the Cardinals are watching Chris Carpenter closely as he continues to work toward a return after offseason discomfort that was believed to have ended his career.

If Carpenter is capable of returning as an impact starter, the addition would be equal to any trade the club could make. It would also allow the Cardinals to shift a starter back to the bullpen, in effect bolstering both ends of the pitching staff.

Cardinals Unlikely to Trade Within Division

June 30, 2013

A recent report illustrates the Cardinals' desire to avoid trading within their own division.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Cardinals beat writer Derrick Goold reported GM John Mozeliak’s take on the issue and also noted that the Cardinals will most likely not be dealing top prospects Oscar Taveras, Michael Wacha or Carlos Martinez.

The downside is that any potential trade partner is going to bring up those three names before any other. Because of that, it’s unlikely that the Cardinals will be the part of any major move.

Mozeliak has a way, however, of bringing in the right pieces at the right cost to get the Cardinals where they want to be in October.

Papelbon to Cardinals Rumor Doesn’t Make Much Sense

June 24, 2013

A report by Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe linked the Cardinals as being an interested party for Philadelphia Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon.

While the Cardinals might have seen themselves as in the market for a closer in mid-April to early May, there is little reason to expect them to be in the market for such an arm.

MLB.com Cardinals beat reporter Jenifer Langosch stated recently that such a move simply “doesn’t make much sense.”

Langsoch’s statement makes much more sense than this rumored trade. With Edward Mujica seeing solid success and Trevor Rosenthal showing the potential to move into the same slot, bringing in another arm would only further compound the situation.