Redbird Droppings: 07/30/2025 Rumors

Redbird Droppings is bringing the names this time

Last time I looked at what the Cardinals should do; now we look at what’s starting to happened, at least rumored to happen. Everything here came out over the last 5 days or so; older rumors are so out of date or over-reported that I’m not going to include them.

First, let check out same names from MLB Trade Rumors Top 50 Trade Candidates. The Cardinals had 3 guys on the list and another 6 as potential candidates: Ryan Helsley (12), Phil Maton (29), Brendan Donovan (48), Erick Fedde (Other – already traded after being designated for assignment), Nolan Gorman (Other), John King (Other), Steven Matz (Other), JoJo Romero (Other), and Jordan Walker (Other).

As mentioned last time, I made the case for all of these guy; I still maintain that Walker and Gorman have the longest shot of being traded of all the names mentioned.

Notice they didn’t list the no trade list guys: Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, Miles Mikolas, and Nolan Arenado. John Mozeliak said last week that they were going to approach these guys about their interest in staying in St. Louis; no word on how those conversations went. Gray acknowledged he was approached, but left it at that. We might not know until after Thursday.

There were also quite a few former Cardinals on the list: Sandy Alcantara (3), Zac Gallen (6), Marcell Ozuna (16), Harrison Bader (19), Andrew Kittredge (39), Adolis Garcia (41), Jose Quintana (Other), Randal Grichuk (Other – since traded), Shelby Miller (Other), and Tommy Pham (Other),

Now on to the rumors.

Brendan Donovan is linked to the Dodgers and Yankees. He makes sense for both team, as he can play just about anywhere and they have the assets to get him, mainly young players.

I’ve been asked why would the Cardinals be interested in trading a younger guy with club control who’s pretty much the face of the franchise? The answer is in the question: he’s club controlled, meaning they will get more in return for him than someone who’s contract is expiring after the season. Rather than a borderline prospects, they could pull a top-100 type prospect who could turn into the face of the franchise.

Think back to when the club was interested in trading for Juan Soto from the Nationals; the key piece that the Cardinals didn’t want to give up with Dylan Carlson, who was viewed as a future star. As we’ve seen, not all prospects develop like they are supposed to (which says more for the state of the Cardinals system than it did for Carlson).

Or look at the deal that brought Marcell Ozuna to St. Louis from the Marlins; Magneuris Sierra was a top 100 prospect with Sandy Alcantara considered a fringe top 100, plus they gave up Zac Gallen and Daniel Castano.

Both deals show what an All Star with club control can bring back.

Ryan Helsley is the other big name teams are interested in, especially with Emmanuel Clase out for the forseeable future; he’s the top reliever available. The Yankees, Phillies, Rangers, and Mariners are looking at the relief market.

The Blue Jays are still interested in Helsley, even after acquiring Seranthony Dominguez from the Orioles yesterday.

The Cubs and Reds are also looking at relievers, but I doubt the Cardinals would make a deal with them for Helsley unless they were to pay a premium. Some lesser relievers could be in play, but only if teams outside the NL Central pass first.

There hasn’t been much news on Steven Matz, although people are ready enough to trade him with no justification. During last night’s game, people on Facebook were quick to say Matz had been traded when he didn’t return to the game. People – check reputable sources before believing anything you see on Facebook groups. I’d recommend someone like Katie Woo or Derrick Goold via X or MLB Trade Rumors.

One name that is gaining traction is JoJo Romero; his weekend against the Padres got their attention, as they have checked in on him. Romero is quietly having a really good season and could bring back a decent prospect or 2. He’ll be a free agent after next season.

Nolan Arenado’s name is starting to creep back into the rumors; the Astros are apparently interested again. Arenado blocked a trade to Houston in the off-season because he was unsure of the direction they were taking for 2025 after trading Kyle Tucker.

I really don’t think Arenado is getting moved, even though that’s the best thing for both him and the Cardinals. As I mentioned last time, there are a lot of pieces that could work themselves out if Arenado were moved. Getting regular at bats for Thomas Saggese and opening a roster spot for JJ Wetherholt should be the priorities for the infield.

While I personally don’t see a trade happening, he could be a good fallback option for teams that miss out on Eugenio Suarez

Here’s all the major trades that have happened so far.

• Mets acquire Gregory Soto (LHP) from Orioles for Willington Aracena (LHP), Cameron Foster (LHP)
• Yankees acquire Ryan McMahon (3B) from Rockies for Griffin Herring (LHP), Josh Grosz (RHP)
• Royals acquire Randal Grichuk (OF) from D’backs for Andrew Hoffman (RHP)
• Yankees acquire Amed Rosario (IF) from Nationals for Clayton Beeter (RH), Browm Martinez (OF)
• Tigers acquire Chris Paddack (RHP), Randy Dobnak (RHP) from Twins for Enrique Jimenez (C)
• Braves acquire Carlos Carrasco (RHP) from Yankees for cash
• Brewers acquire Danny Jansen (C) from Rays for Jadher Areinamo (IF)
• Blue Jays acquire Seranthony Dominguez (RHP) from Orioles for Juaron Watts-Brown (RHP)

And lastly, it’s not deadline related (kind of), but former deadline acquisition Tekoah Roby is done for the next 18-months or so after having Tommy John surgery last week. The Cardinals, as they have traditionally shown, are horrible about being forthright about player injuries. Hopefully this is something that Chaim Bloom rectifies in the future.

I’ll be back tomorrow with updated rumors and/or trade analysis.