# Redbird Droppings: Trade Deadline Rundown - Link: https://www.nyrdcast.com/redbird-droppings-trade-deadline-rundown/ - Published: 2026-08-05T13:00:00-05:00 - Author: Eugene Tierney ### **Redbird Droppings looks at the new Cardinals** [⌊Redbird Droppings⌉⌊Redbird Droppings⌉[ As expected, the Cardinals sold off a few players; maybe a few less than I would have liked, but I’m not sure what the interest really was in some of the other players. You have to remember that other teams have to want a player to make a trade; so complaining that they dealt Noot while hanging on to [Ryne Stanek](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stanery01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br) really is worthless because no one might have asked about Stanek. First, here are the releases from the Cardinals about the 3 deals they conducted. After that, I’ll give scouting reports and analysis on the deals. --- ### **_CARDINALS & BREWERS COMPLETE TRADE_** #### **_ST. LOUIS ACQUIRES OUTFIELD PROSPECTS ALEXANDER FRIAS & JOSIAH RAGSDALE_** #### **_DUSTIN MAY & JOJO ROMERO DEALT TO MILWAUKEE_** **ST. LOUIS, MO., August 3, 2026 **– The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that the team has completed a trade deadline deal this afternoon acquiring a pair of outfield prospects **_[Alexander Frias](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=frias-001ale&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br)_** and **_[Josiah Ragsdale](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ragsda002jos&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br)_** from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for pitchers **_[Dustin May](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/maydu01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br)_** and **_[JoJo Romero](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/romerjo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br)_**. Frias, 18, ranks as a Top 100 prospect by three different publications and the No. 8 prospect in the Brewers system per _Baseball America_. Ragsdale, 22, ranks as Milwaukee’s No. 22 prospect by _Baseball America._ [⌊Alexander Frias⌉⌊Alexander Frias⌉[ **ALEXANDER FRIAS – OF** **18 years old – born March 10, 2008 in Rio San Juan, Dominican Republic** * 6-2, 177 lbs. * Bats: Left / Throws: Right * Signed as an international free agent by Milwaukee in January 2025 out of Rio San Juan, Dominican Republic. * Currently ranked as a Top 100 prospect by _Fangraphs_ (No. 43), _The Athletic_( No. 69) and _Baseball America_ (No. 100). No. 8 prospect in Brewers system by _Baseball America_. * Slashed .441/.518/.678 with 18 extra-base hits, 34 RBI, 33 runs scored and 12 SB in 32 games with the Arizona Complex League Brewers before being promoted to Single-A Wilson on June 23. * At the time of his promotion, Frias led the ACL in batting average, on-base percentage and hits (52) while also ranking top 3 in slugging, OPS (1.196, 2^(nd)), doubles( 12, T-2^(nd)), and total bases (30, 3^(rd)). * In 28 games at Single-A Wilson, Frias owns a .746 OPS with 10 extra-base hits, 28 RBI and 7 stolen bases as the youngest player in the Carolina League as of July 25. * Younger brother of former Diamondbacks (2021-24) and Blue Jays (2024) pitcher [Luis Frias](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=frias-001lui&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br). [⌊Josiah Ragsdale⌉⌊Josiah Ragsdale⌉[ **JOSIAH RAGSDALE – OF** **22 years old – born December 21, 2003 in Vineland, NJ** * 6-0, 185 lbs. * Bats: Left / Throws: Left * No. 22 prospect in Brewers system by _Baseball America_ and No. 13 by _MLB Pipeline_. * Batting .316/.441/.581 (98-310) with 19 homers, 51 RBI, 31 stolen bases, and 1.022 OPS in 86 games between Wisconsin (A+) and Biloxi (AA) this season. * Among qualified full season minor leaguers this season, ranks 7^(th) in OBP (. 441), and 8^(th) in OPS (1.022). * Has 10 HR in his last 13 games with Biloxi, most homers in all of MLB or MiLB since July 19. * Started 42 games in center field and 41 games in right field this season. * Ragsdale is 1 of 8 minor leaguers this season with 15+ HR and 30+ SB. Currently, one home run shy from a 20 2B, 20 HR, 30 SB season. * Originally selected by the Brewers in the 7th round of the 2025 MLB Draft. Played collegiately at Boston College (2025) and Iona (2023-24). **-STL-** --- ### **_CARDINALS & DIAMONDBACKS COMPLETE TRADE_** #### **_ST. LOUIS ACQUIRES PAIR OF D-BACKS PROSPECTS INCLUDING_** **_RHP DANIEL EAGEN, LHP SANDRO SANTANA & A PLAYER TO BE NAMED LATER_** #### **_OUTFIELDER LARS NOOTBAAR DEALT TO DIAMONDBACKS_** **ST. LOUIS, MO., August 3, 2026 **– The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that the team has completed a trade deadline deal with Arizona, acquiring minor league prospects **_[Daniel Eagen](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=eagen-000dan&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br)_**,**_ [Sandro Santana](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=santan003san&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br)_** and a player to be named later in exchange for outfielder **_[Lars Nootbaar](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/nootbla01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br)_**. Eagen, 23, is ranked by _MLB Pipeline_ as Arizona’s No. 5 prospect and No. 13 by _Baseball America_. Santana, 21, is ranked by _MLB Pipeline_ as Arizona’s No. 26 prospect. [⌊Daniel Eagen⌉⌊Daniel Eagen⌉[ **DANIEL EAGEN – RHP** **23 years old – born November 23, 2002 in Fuquay-Varina, NC** * 6-4, 206 lbs. * Bats: Right / Throws: Right * No. 13 prospect in the Diamondbacks organization by _Baseball America_ and No. 5 by _MLB Pipelin_e. * 2025 Diamondbacks Minor League Pitcher of the Year in his first professional season. Took part in 2026 Major League Spring Training with Arizona as a non- roster invitee. * 5-8 with a 4.95 ERA (87.1 IP) and 109 strikeouts in 20 starts for Double-A Amarillo. Boasts a 11.2 SO/9 IP ratio this season with a pair of 10-strikeout games. * 109 strikeouts leads all Dbacks minor leaguers and ranks 5^(th) among all Double- A pitchers (3^(rd) in Texas League) this season. He also led Arizona farmhands last season with 153 strikeouts. * Named 2025 Northwest League (A+) Pitcher of the Year, Post-Season All-Star. Selected as 2025 Baseball America Class High-A All-Star. * Originally selected by Arizona in the 3rd round (102^(nd) overall) of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina. [⌊Sandro Santana⌉⌊Sandro Santana⌉[ **SANDRO SANTANA – LHP** 21 years old – born March 7, 2005 in Barahona, Dominican Republic * 5-10, 150 lbs. * Bats: Left / Throws: Left * #22 prospect in Diamondbacks system by _MLB Pipeline_. * Signed with Arizona as an international free agent in January 2023. * Owns a 2.14 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, .188 batting average against with 70 strikeouts across 46.1 IP in 31 relief appearances between Amarillo (AA) and Hillsboro (A+) this season. * Recorded a 37.0 SO% and 10.6 BB% and has allowed just seven extra-base hits on the season (.255 SLG% against). * Since June 24 promotion to Double-A Amarillo, has posted a 0.57 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 36.2 SO% in 11 appearances. **-STL-** --- ### **_CARDINALS & REDS ANNOUNCE TRADE_** #### **_ST. LOUIS ACQUIRES LHP CALEB FERGUSON IN EXCHANGE FOR_** **_INTERNATIONAL CAP SPACE_** **ST. LOUIS, MO., August 3, 2026 **– The St. Louis Cardinals completed a trade with the Cincinnati Reds in advance of today’s trade deadline, acquiring left-handed relief pitcher **_[Caleb Ferguson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/ferguca01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br)_** in exchange for International Cap Space. Ferguson, 30, is a veteran of eight Major League seasons since debuting in 2018 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and he’s had prior postseason experience in 2018, 2023, 2024 and 2025. The 6-3, 225-pound lefty has compiled a 25-17 career mark with a 3.69 ERA in 359 games for the Dodgers (2018-24), Yankees (2024), Astros (2024), Pirates (2025), Mariners (2025) and Reds (2026). In 26 games with the Reds this season, Ferguson was 1-0 with a 4.01 ERA in 24.2 innings pitched after beginning the season on the Injured List due to an oblique strain. The Columbus, Ohio native was 7-2 with a 3.49 ERA in 29 games as a rookie in 2018. He was 7-4 with a 3.43 ERA in 68 games pitched for the Dodgers in 2023. Ferguson is expected to join the Cardinals Major League club in the coming days. **-STL-** --- I’m generally happy about what the team did; they traded 4 seasons of commitment( the remainder of 2026 for May, Romero, and Noot, plus all of 2027 for Noot) and $250k of international spending money for a potential 24 seasons of control in the 4 minor leaguers, the rest of 2026 of Ferguson, and whatever the player to be named later will bring. Not only is the control of the prospects huge, but the ability of those players. I’ll be referencing the 20-80 Scale: * 80 = Elite * 70 = Plus-plus * 60 = Plus * 50 = MLB average * 40 = Fringe-average * 30 = Well below average Frias is the prize of the deadline. He’s the #42 prospect in baseball according to [Fangraphs’ Pre-Deadline Rankings](https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-pre-trade-deadline-top-100-prospects-update/); that places him behind [Rainiel Rodriguez](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rodrig004rai&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br)(# 23) and [Liam Doyle](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=doyle-001lia,doyle-000lia&search=Liam+Doyle&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br)(# 27), and ahead of [Jurrangelo Cijntje](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=cijntj000jur&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br)(# 71). [He would have been 3rd among Brewer’s prospects too. Right now, these 2 systems are pretty close in talent level, so this acquisition was keeping us in line with them.] | **Alexander Frias** | | | Tool | Grade | | Hit | 45 | | Power | 60 | | Run | 55 | | Field | 55 | | Arm | 55 | | Overall Future Value | **55** | Frias has the highest upside of the guys acquired. He’s a projectable left-handed bat that has legit power. To get his full value, he needs to up the hit tool; if he’s even gets to league average contact, he’s a very good everyday player. The bat speed and power are currently there; he’s shown exit velocity in the upper 116 MPHs, an EV90 of 105.3, and a hard hit rate of 46.7. The issue is his swing is pretty flat, with an average launch angle of 3 degrees. He’ll need to get that up so it’s not just hard hit ground balls. It’s fixable, as we’ve seen with [Jordan Walker](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/walkejo02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br); Walker has had similar issues prior to this season, but a winter at Driveline fixed that. Defensively, he can handle all 3 outfield positions, although his speed limits him from playing center on a regular basis. He’s got the arm and bat profile that’s perfect for right field. He’s got a ceiling of a .260 hitter with 30 homers; the floor is a AAAA player that bounces between AAA and the Majors. He could be an [Alec Burleson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burleal01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br) with higher upside; he could even reach [Junior Caminero](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/caminju01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br) or [Yordan Alvarez](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/alvaryo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br) levels if he breaks out. He could also be another [Tyler O’Neill](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=oneilty01,oneill001tyl&search=Tyler+O'Neill&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br) if things don’t work out; that’s still a useful player. While Frias is the prize of the trade, Ragsdale shouldn’t be ignored. In fact, his surface numbers look better than those of Frias and he’s further along in his development. | **Josiah Ragsdale** | | | Tool | Grade | | Hit | 50 | | Power | 50 | | Run | 65 | | Field | 60 | | Arm | 50 | | Overall Future Value | **55** | Ragsdale has a better bat tool at this point, but he lacks the power that Frias has shown. That’s not to say he doesn’t have it; Ragsdale has the potential to be a 20/20 centerfielder. That is, if the power he’s shown this season is a step forward and not a blip. There are still concerns with strikeouts and platoon splits, but those are things he’s going to work on over the next 18 months. His speed is plus, which translates into his defense; he’s fast enough to stick in center and be above average. That’s even with a below average arm. If he can’t stick in center, that power question becomes huge; he doesn’t have the arm for right, so he’ll need that proto-typical power of a left fielder to have value. Otherwise, he’ll make a great 4th outfielder. He’s the safer prospect; the ceiling is much lower, but the floor is much higher. He’ll make the majors, but it’s a question if he’s a 4th outfielder or a starter in center. I’ve seen some [Dylan Carlson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/carlsdy01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br) comps for their minor league play, but that doesn’t instill much confidence. The realistic comp is [TJ Friedl](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/friedtj01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br), the ceiling comp is [Brenton Doyle](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/doylebr02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br), and the floor comp is [Michael A. Taylor](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/taylomi02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br). While the players acquired in the Nootbaar deal aren’t as sexy, they are still solid prospects. Eagen is a solid right-handed starting pitcher that looks like a potential mid-rotation guy. He has 4 pitches, gets strikeouts, and has swing and miss stuff. | **Daniel Eagen** | | | Pitch | Grade | | Fastball | 60 | | Slider | 55 | | Curveball | 50 | | Changeup | 50 | | Command | 45 | | Overall Future Value | **50-55** | The fastball sits 93-96, touching 98 in small stints; the pitch has strong carry and works the top of the strike zone. There is a lot of vertical break to the pitch. His slider is the next best pitch, sitting mid-80s with late movement; he gets a lot of swings and misses from righties with the pitch and is his out pitch. The curve and change are still being worked on; the curve has more vertical break than the slider and a much different shape, while the change flashes average against lefties but lacks consistency. He has the frame for a starter; he’s tall with a downward angle on his pitches. He’s currently pretty durable, so innings eating is a realistic thing for him. He throws from a three-quarters slot. The command is the biggest issue right now; he’s what is considerer a “stuff over results” pitcher at this point. Eagen struggles to hit his spots and often falls behind hitters, leading to a lot of damage. He needs to work on his pitch selection and efficiency to move to the next level. His ceiling is a #3 starter; he could have a mid-3 ERA with 10+ K/9 over a full season in the rotation. The floor is a high leverage reliever throwing his fastball slider combo; he’d probably add a tick in velocity in small stints. The realistic spot is probably a #4-5 starter who get’s some strikeouts but also allows a bit of contact. Comps include [Joe Ryan](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ryanjo04.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br) for the high end and [Dakota Hudson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hudsoda02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br) for the low end; the names of [Michael Wacha](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wachami01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br) and [Ryan Helsley](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/helslry01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br) as potential comps have popped up. I’ve also seen [Andre Pallante](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pallaan01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br) with more swing and misses or a [Michael McGreevy](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mcgremi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br) with more missed bats but less command. Finally, we get Santana, a lefty reliever who has taken a step forward this year by dominating Double A. | **Sandro Santana** | | | Pitch | Grade | | Fastball | 55 | | Breaking Ball | 60 | | Changeup | 45 | | Command | 50 | | Overall Future Value | **50** | There aren’t as many details on Santana’s pitches. His fastball sits low to mid 90s, topping out around 95; he has a deceptive delivery that plays up the velocity of the pitch. His breaking pitch looks more like a slider than a curve and there really aren’t reports on the velocity; it’s very effective against lefties though and goes generates swing and misses. The change is a work still, but it’ll need to be a little more effect to handle righties. The increase in his prospect status comes more from improved command rather than stuff; he’s throwing quality strikes and avoids jams. He’s going to be a reliever, there is no doubt there. The question is where will he fit in the bullpen structure: a high leverage guy or the back of the bullpen, mop up guy? Comps include [Tim Hill](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hillti01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br) for the floor and [Aaron Bummer](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bummeaa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br)/ [Matt Strahm](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/strahma01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br) for ceiling; JoJo Romero and a better command version of [Genesis Cabrera](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cabrege01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br) are a couple of mid-range comps, along with [Jalen Beeks](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/beeksja02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br) and [Andrew Chafin](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/chafian01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br). [Andrew Miller](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=millean01,miller016and,miller028and,miller029and,miller030and&search=Andrew+Miller&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.nyrdcast.com&utm_campaign=2026-08-05_br) is another potential comp, but that’s if everything breaks right for Santana (and don’t worry, that’s not the Cardinal version of Miller, but rather the Indians’ fireman from a few seasons earlier). The Cardinals will also get a player to be named later; a lot of times, there is a list of guys they can choose from and they are waiting to see how they all progress before selecting one. Some times, the player is contingent on how the trade worked out of the other team; in this instance, if Nootbaar pushes the D’backs to the playoffs, then the prospect the Cardinals could get could be a better player. We don’t know at this point. There is also Ferguson, but we should know what he is at this point: a journeyman lefty that should be able to step in for Romero. He’s more floor than ceiling. I’m just surprised the Cardinals gave up international bonus money for him since that’s been an area where Chaim Bloom has excelled in finding talent in the past. Maybe he’s not fond of the upcoming international market and felt the needs of now outweighed the needs of the future. Or he got enough talent from the Brewers and Diamondbacks that he could spare bonus pool. Here’s to hoping that these guys turn out. ### Share this: * [ Facebook ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/redbird-droppings-trade-deadline-rundown/?share=facebook) * [ X ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/redbird-droppings-trade-deadline-rundown/?share=x) * [ Email ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/redbird-droppings-trade-deadline-rundown/?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20Redbird%20Droppings%3A%20Trade%20Deadline%20Rundown&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyrdcast.com%2Fredbird-droppings-trade-deadline-rundown%2F&share=email) * [ LinkedIn ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/redbird-droppings-trade-deadline-rundown/?share=linkedin) * [ Mastodon ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/redbird-droppings-trade-deadline-rundown/?share=mastodon) * [ Nextdoor ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/redbird-droppings-trade-deadline-rundown/?share=nextdoor) * [ Pinterest ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/redbird-droppings-trade-deadline-rundown/?share=pinterest) * [ Reddit ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/redbird-droppings-trade-deadline-rundown/?share=reddit) * [ Tumblr ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/redbird-droppings-trade-deadline-rundown/?share=tumblr) ### Like this: Like Loading… ### _Related_