St. Louis Cardinals Trade Rumors: Tracking Hot Updates, News and Reaction

Even though the St. Louis Cardinals have been the best team in baseball throughout the first half of the 2015 season, they may still try to make moves at the trade deadline in order to improve their squad.

As a team that has maintained the best record in baseball, the Cardinals don't really have many holes. However, given the amount of key injuries—such as Adam Wainwright, Matt Adams and Matt Holliday—the team has suffered this year, adding some depth wouldn't be a bad idea.

St. Louis has a knack for making under-the-radar moves that pay off. Although the club doesn't need to make a blockbuster deal, making a trade for a role player could enhance the team's chances of winning a championship. 

Check in throughout July to see what rumors the Cardinals are involved in and what deals they make before the trade deadline passes.

All stats via MLB.com.

Done Deals

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

July 24: Traded RHP Kyle Barraclough to the Miami Marlins in exchange for RHP Steve Cishek

July 30: Traded LHP Rob Kaminsky to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for 1B/OF Brandon Moss

July 31: Acquired RHP Jonathan Broxton and cash to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for OF Malik Collymore

July 31: Acquire RHP Jonathan Broxton from Brewers

Orlin Wagner/Associated Press

The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired reliever Jonathan Broxton and cash from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for minor-league outfielder Malik Collymore. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Brewers will send $3 million to the Cardinals. However, $2 million of that money is to cover the buyout

Broxton had a 5.89 ERA and a 1.391 WHIP in 40 outings for the Brewers this season. He has a career 3.29 ERA and a 1.226 WHIP in 582 career appearances.

Although he may not be the reliever he once was, Broxton could get things back on track, as many players who come to St. Louis do. If he turns back into vintage Broxton and gets his fastball in the high-90s, this under-the-radar move could pay off in a big way down the stretch for the Cardinals.

By adding Broxton and Pat Neshek, the Cardinals have added two veteran relievers who have experience closing. That gives the team options as it tries to keep Trevor Rosenthal fresh.

The 31-year-old Broxton is making $9 million this season, and his contract includes a $9 million mutual option (or a $2 million buyout) for 2016. 

July 30: Cardinals Trade for Brandon Moss

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

With Matt Adams and Matt Holliday out with injuries, St. Louis went out and added Brandon Moss from the Cleveland Indians in an attempt to fill the holes and light a spark under its sputtering offense.

The Indians confirmed the deal which sent Moss, who is hitting .217 with 15 home runs, 17 doubles, one triple and 50 RBI in 94 games this season, to the Cardinals.  While his numbers this season aren't overly mpressive, he has hit at least 21 home runs in each of the three previous seasons, including a career-high 30 in 2013.

He gives the Cardinals some options. Not only can he serve as the left-handed part of a first base platoon with Mark Reynolds, but he can fill in for Holliday when Reynolds is in the lineup. His arrival also figures to take some pressure off prospect Stephen Piscotty, who has held his own since being promoted.

The 31-year-old is making $6.5 million this season and is eligible for arbitration for the third time this offseason.

July 24: Acquired RHP Steve Cishek from Marlins

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired Cishek from the Miami Marlins in exchange for RHP Kyle Barraclough, per Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.

Cishek, who has racked up 94 career saves for the Marlins, has had his struggles this season. He has a 4.50 ERA in 32 outings and batters are hitting .291 off him, with right-handers hitting .309. His hits per nine innings (10.4), home runs per nine (0.6), strikeouts per nine (7.9) and walks per nine (3.9) have all gotten significantly worse from last year.

The 29-year-old's struggles this season earned him a trip to the minor leagues (Double-A) . Since being recalled, he has allowed just one earned run (four runs total) in 13 outings.

Despite having the second-best bullpen in the majors (2.37 ERA), the Cardinals felt that they needed to go out and get another arm to help get the ball to Trevor Rosenthal. By acquiring Cishek, they got a pitcher who can come into jams and get ground balls. Not only that, but should Rosenthal be unavailable, the right-hander can come in and close out a game.

Cishek is making $6.65 million this season and is under club control through the 2017 season.

Potential Trade Target: 1B Adam Lind

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Looking to replace the injured Matt Adams, the Cardinals have had talks with the Milwaukee Brewers involving first baseman Adam Lind, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Lind has slashed .285/.365/.500 in 92 games for the Brewers and has added 16 home runs, 20 doubles and 58 RBI. Against right-handers, the left-handed hitting first baseman is hitting .302 with 16 home runs and 15 doubles.

The 31-year-old is making $7.5 million this season and has an $8 million club option ($500,000 buyout) for the 2016 season. 

Cardinals Seek Starting Pitching Help

Jeffrey Phelps/Associated Press

Despite losing ace Adam Wainwright in April, the Cardinals rotation (2.71 ERA) has still been the best in baseball. And yet, the team may still look to add a starting pitcher at the July 31 trade deadline.

Injuries to Wainwright and Jaime Garcia are testing St. Louis' depth. Tyler Lyons and Tim Cooney have done an adequate job filling in, but for a team looking to win a World Series, relying on unproven arms down the stretch can be risky.

According to Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak will be searching the market for starting pitching. Mozeliak has liked what he has seen from his rotation this season, but at the same time, he's not going to sit back and play it safe. If there's a good deal out there, he won't be afraid to pull the trigger. 

St. Louis Looking to Add Bat for Bench

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

St. Louis is expecting left fielder Matt Holliday to return soon, but with first baseman Matt Adams likely out for the season, the team will be looking to add a player to help from the bench.

According to Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak will be looking for a left-handed bat to help make up for the loss of Adams. The team is not looking to add a player at a specific position, but it is looking for a bat with some pop.