Redbird Droppings: Deadline Rumors

Redbird Droppings looks at the deadline rumors before today’s deadline

As we close into the deadline (5:00PM CST today), we’re getting a lot more on the rumor front; not like a few years ago when Juan Soto was on the market, but some lesser names this year.

We’ve already completed one deal:

• The Cardinals receive RHP Erick Fedde, OF Tommy Pham, and cash from the White Sox; a PTBNL from the Dodgers.
• The Dodgers receive UT Tommy Edman and RHP Oliver Gonzalez from the Cardinals; RHP Michael Kopech from the White Sox.
• The White Sox receive UT Miguel Vargas, IF Alexander Albertus, IF Jeral Perez, and PTBNL or cash from Dodgers.

The original deal was Fedde for Edman straight up, but the Cardinals wanted to get Pham involved in the deal after a few players went to management requesting him. The Dodgers were added to get prospects to the White Sox. I wasn’t surprised by the Fedde acquisition, but Pham was shocking, especially hearing that current players requested him.

Prior to the trade, the Yankees were checking on Edman and could have been dangling LHP Nestor Cortes. Cortes would have been a nice addition, but the Cardinals got a better pitcher in Fedde.

The other dead part of the trade was the White Sox interest in Jordan Walker; the Cardinals wouldn’t budge though and Walker stays with the team.

Here’s where the other rumors stand:

Dylan Carlson is getting interest from the Nationals, Angels, and Guardians; the Guardians could be out after acquiring Lane Thomas yesterday. As of right now, the Nationals are the front runners and a deal could be getting close. The Cardinals are known to like reliever Dylan Floro, but I would think that Carlson would draw more than rental reliever.

The Dodgers have some interest in Giovanny Gallegos, but don’t expect much back. Since the Cardinals DFAed the pitcher, they have to trade or release him in the next few days (because I’m assuming he won’t accept a minor league assignment). I was surprised they decided to move on; they need bullpen help and Gallegos has looked better since returning from the IL. He’s not the pitcher he was 2-4 years ago, but he had his uses when things were right.

A similar deal was just competed between the Angels and Giants; the Angels received Mike Baumann from the Giants for cash. It’s similar in that Baumann has struggled this year and was recently designated for assignment; if the Cardinals got a player, it might be a steal at this point (although the same thing happened with Genesis Cabrera last season and he pitched well down the stretch).

Nolan Gorman has been drawing interest from teams; this could be an opportunity for the Cardinals to clear our a roster spot and get something good in return. While Gorman is having a down year after a strong rookie season, he’s still young enough to turn around. Gorman would require an impressive return, more than just a rental reliever; he’d probably be more in line with a closer with some affordable club control.

Another young player generating interest is Ivan Herrera; the catcher appears to have fallen out of favor with the club after Pedro Pages received a larger share of playing time when Willson Contreras was out. Don’t be surprised to see him traded for some bullpen help.

The Cardinals could go back to the well for another former Redbird; they have reported interest in John Brebbia. While his surface numbers don’t look great, he’s got great strikeout and walk numbers; his BABIP is .352, which is extremely high the should drop down. He’s a known quantity with the team and would slot in as a middle reliver.

People still think the Cardinals could be in on Kevin Pillar, and I guess he could be part of a Carlson trade if the Cardinals move him to the Angels. The issue is the outfield is already crowded and moving Carlson for Pillar doesn’t free up playing time, nor does it mark a large improvement over what they have. I guess they could move Gorman and slide Brendan Donovan back to second, but you still have Alec Burleson, Lars Nootbaar, Pham, and Michael Siani for 3 outfield spots. I’d rather see Luken Baker promoted to DH over using Pillar (or one of the non-Burleson outfield options) there.

Check out the MLB Draft Tracker and Cardinals Draft Tracker; the deadline for signing is Thursday.