The St. Louis Cardinals have a problem. Their starting rotation is good — maybe even very good. Their bullpen, however, is leaking runs at an alarming rate. And with the MLB trade deadline looming on August 3, the rumor mill has already started churning.
Jim Duquette, a former general manager for the New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles, didn’t mince words when discussing the Cardinals’ likely strategy. According to MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM, Duquette expects St. Louis to aggressively pursue a starting pitcher before the deadline.
“I think they’ll make a deal for a starting pitcher,” Duquette said bluntly. He didn’t offer specifics, but the implication is clear: the Cardinals are looking to upgrade, not stand pat.
Why the Urgency?
The Cardinals sit at 39-31, good enough for second place in the National League Central but 4.5 games behind the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers. Their starting rotation, anchored by Dustin May, Michael McGreevy, and Kyle Leahy, has been solid. May threw a 3-0 shutout against the San Diego Padres on Monday — exactly the kind of performance that makes a team believe it can contend.
But the bullpen is another story. Currently ranked 17th in bullpen ERA at 4.21, St. Louis has struggled to hold leads and close out games. The team has relied heavily on a mix of veterans and young prospects, but the long-term picture remains uncertain. The front office appears to be looking for a starter who can stabilize the staff and eat innings — someone who can take pressure off a beleaguered relief corps.
Potential Targets and Trade Chips
According to reports, the Cardinals have already been linked to several names. Robbie Ray of the San Francisco Giants, Reid Detmers of the Los Angeles Angels, and Jeffrey Springs of the Athletics are all being discussed as potential targets. Each would offer a different mix of experience, control, and financial flexibility — qualities that matter for a team that doesn’t want to gut its farm system for a rental.
On the flip side, St. Louis may have to part with some of its own talent. Dustin May and reliever JoJo Romero have been mentioned in trade speculation, though the team has not confirmed any active negotiations. May, in particular, would be a tough piece to move given his recent dominance — but that also makes him a valuable bargaining chip.
What It Means for the Cardinals’ Future
Ultimately, St. Louis’s deadline strategy will hinge on one question: can they realistically contend for a playoff spot this year? The early returns suggest yes, but the bullpen issues could derail a promising season. Adding a starting pitcher would not only shore up the rotation but could also allow the team to shift a current starter to the bullpen — a move that could quietly solve two problems at once.
Duquette’s prediction is bold, but it aligns with the logic of a team that’s good, but not great, and knows it needs a spark. Whether the front office pulls the trigger will depend on the asking price — and how badly they want to make a run in October.
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