The St. Louis Cardinals currently sit at 29-23, holding a six-game cushion above the .500 mark. They’re not only competing for the top spot in the National League Central but are also firmly in the Wild Card hunt.
Each passing week makes the idea of the Cardinals being true contenders more believable. While tougher stretches may lie ahead in June and July, this team is showing signs of being well-rounded—featuring a top-10 offense and rotation, a bullpen that has made noticeable strides, and one of the best defenses in baseball. That combination is usually a winning formula.
The Cardinals are also one of just three National League teams with a winning record against opponents who also have records above .500. Their 17-16 mark in such games ranks eighth across all of Major League Baseball.
As the trade deadline approaches, the discussion will intensify over whether the Cardinals should be buyers, sellers, or take a hybrid approach. That’s a conversation for another day—it’s still early, and much will depend on how things unfold over the next couple of months. But a compelling question is starting to emerge: If the Cardinals do decide to buy, who might they be willing to trade?
The more I thought about it, the more intrigued I became, so I decided to explore it further.
Much like predictions about what the Cardinals might pursue at the deadline, this list is fluid. Player performance, team needs, injuries, and standings all influence who becomes available in trade talks.
Here are five players the Cardinals who will depart at the deadline.
Nolan Gorman
Expectations were high for Nolan Gorman to be a mainstay in the Cardinals’ lineup in 2025, with over 600 plate appearances projected. However, once the team failed to move Nolan Arenado, Gorman’s opportunities started shrinking. The rise of Alec Burleson and increased DH at-bats for Ivan Herrera have further reduced Gorman’s role.
So far, Gorman has appeared in just 29 games—about 56% of the team’s total—and sits 10th in plate appearances, a number likely to be passed soon by Herrera. When he has played, the results haven’t inspired more chances. His 54 wRC+ ranks 15th out of 16 Cardinals hitters, even below names like Jose Barrero, Michael Siani, and Pedro Pages.
Yet, at just 25 years old and still pre-arbitration, Gorman has shown flashes of serious power. It wasn’t long ago—in his first full MLB season—that he hit .236/.328/.478 with 27 home runs, 76 RBIs, and a 118 wRC+. While his trade value isn’t exactly peaking, he could be a worthwhile gamble for a team that can offer him consistent playing time.
If the Cardinals are open to moving Gorman while his value is down, they might be able to bring in a bullpen arm or another needed piece. A blockbuster deal involving Gorman feels unlikely, but it’s not out of the question.
Alec Burleson
While Nolan Gorman’s performance hasn’t been strong enough to command a significant return in a trade, Alec Burleson could also see reduced playing time moving forward. However, Burleson’s recent production suggests he might offer more value as a trade asset than he would sitting on the Cardinals’ bench.
Through 43 games this season, Burleson has slashed .285/.336/.415 with four home runs and 16 RBIs, giving him a solid 111 wRC+. While those numbers aren’t eye-popping, he’s been red-hot in May, posting a 1.032 OPS and a 186 wRC+, indicating he may have rediscovered his swing.
Burleson was a strong offensive contributor in the first half of 2024, hitting 17 home runs with a 125 wRC+, but he struggled badly after the All-Star break, managing only four home runs and an 80 wRC+ over his final 63 games. That slump carried into the early part of 2025, but he’s turned things around in May, with four home runs and two doubles in just 49 plate appearances.
The Cardinals have been trying to find more at-bats for Burleson, including giving him time in the corner outfield. But with Ivan Herrera looking like the frontrunner for the designated hitter role, it’s going to be tough to get Burleson consistent playing time despite his solid output.
Unless an injury sidelines Willson Contreras, Lars Nootbaar, or Jordan Walker—or unless Walker is sent down to Triple-A—Burleson likely won’t have a path to a regular starting job unless Herrera begins catching more frequently again.
To be clear, this doesn’t mean the Cardinals have to trade Burleson right now. There’s no urgency to move him. But if they aim to make a meaningful addition at the trade deadline, Burleson could be a prime trade chip—he’s talented but doesn’t have a clear role in the short- or long-term plans for the club.
Still, it might make more sense to hang on to him for the rest of the season and revisit trade possibilities in the offseason. If injuries or performance issues arise, Burleson could quickly become the go-to replacement. In particular, he’s a vital backup option if Jordan Walker continues to struggle.
Ryan Helsley
Many in the baseball world—including beat writers, bloggers, podcasters, fans, and even Ryan Helsley himself—were genuinely surprised that the Cardinals didn’t trade him this offseason. If you go back to his comments during Winter Warm-Up, Helsley clearly expected to be moved and didn’t believe a contract extension was likely, citing a lack of interest from the team.
So far, keeping Helsley hasn’t paid off. He’s off to a rough start in 2025, carrying a 3.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 18 appearances. His key metrics—ERA, WHIP, HR/FB%, walks per nine innings, and strikeouts per nine—are all at their worst since he took over as the team’s closer in 2022.
His average fastball velocity has also dipped to its lowest point since 2022, and the pitch is grading out below league average. His once-dominant slider, among the best in baseball last year, is now barely above average. Opposing hitters are making hard contact often (he ranks in just the 26th percentile), and he’s no longer elite at generating whiffs or chase swings outside the strike zone.
That said, it would be unwise to count Helsley out. At his best, he remains one of the most electric relievers in the game. With free agency looming later this year, he’s highly motivated to bounce back and show he’s worth a big payday.
Despite only blowing a few saves so far, Helsley hasn’t exactly been a key factor in the Cardinals’ wins. Unlike last season, when he was crucial in tight games, the current team hasn’t needed elite closer production as frequently to stay competitive. Many winning teams can thrive in the regular season without a top-tier closer.
Across the league, though, several contenders are already in need of bullpen help—teams like the Diamondbacks, Phillies, Rangers, and Cubs come to mind. As the trade deadline approaches, that list will probably get longer, and at least a few of those teams could be interested in acquiring Helsley.
Trading Helsley to strengthen the Cardinals’ roster may seem unconventional, but it could offer real value. For starters, he might return major league-ready talent, particularly in the rotation, where the team remains thin—especially with injuries affecting their minor league pitching depth. They could then pursue a cheaper reliever to help fill the void left by Helsley.
Alternatively, if the Cardinals aim to make a big splash at the deadline, Helsley could be a valuable trade chip. Whether he’s part of a blockbuster or flipped separately to replenish the farm system, he represents a piece that could facilitate a bigger move.
Of course, all of this depends on his performance. If he doesn’t turn things around soon, his trade value may not justify moving him at all.
Thomas Saggese
Acquired in the 2023 trade deadline deal that sent Jordan Montgomery out, Thomas Saggese is finally on the verge of breaking into the big leagues—but there just isn’t a clear spot for him in the Cardinals’ crowded infield right now.
He got a brief taste of the majors with St. Louis in 2024, but struggled, posting a .204/.250/.306 line over 52 plate appearances. However, like Masyn Winn before him, that short stint appeared to help set the stage for a stronger return. And in 2025, Saggese has made the most of his opportunities.
In 44 plate appearances this year, he’s hit .341/.364/.512 with a 142 wRC+ over 14 games before being optioned back to Memphis. With Arenado, Winn, Donovan, and Gorman all on the active roster, there just isn’t an easy path to regular playing time for Saggese right now.
I count myself among the bigger supporters of Saggese—you won’t find many who are higher on his offensive potential. I believe in his bat-to-ball skills and think he can be a solid hitter at this level, maybe 15–20% above league average, while offering capable defense across multiple infield spots.
But realistically, is he going to start over Masyn Winn or Brendan Donovan? And what happens when JJ Wetherholt arrives? In the near term, Nolan Arenado has third base locked down, and Nolan Gorman also presents competition for at-bats.
I get why the Cardinals want Saggese to keep getting regular reps in Memphis, but the lack of a clear MLB role right now might be a sign of how the future will look, too. That said, I think there’s real value in keeping him on the big-league roster as a versatile bench piece.
Saggese could provide meaningful value in a utility role for the Cardinals both now and in the years ahead. But like with Alec Burleson earlier, the team may need to consider whether he might be more valuable as a trade chip—especially to a club that can give him an everyday opportunity. That’s a question the Cardinals will need to wrestle with at the trade deadline, this offseason, and beyond.
Matt Koperniak
Near the end of spring training, Cardinals fans were pretty upset that Matt Koperniak didn’t make the Opening Day roster. He had an impressive 1.039 OPS over 31 plate appearances, clearly outperforming Michael Siani and looking like one of the team’s best hitters throughout camp.
However, he didn’t make the team, and unfortunately, his performance in Triple-A this season hasn’t given him much momentum to push for a major league spot.
In 152 plate appearances with the Memphis Redbirds, Koperniak is hitting just .186/.250/.257 with a very low 36 wRC+. For comparison, fans are currently frustrated with Jordan Walker and Nolan Gorman’s offense, but Koperniak’s Triple-A numbers have been even worse.
That said, he had a strong 2024 season in Triple-A, posting a .309/.370/.512 slash line with 20 home runs and 73 RBIs in 122 games. At 27 years old, he’s eager to get his first chance in the majors.
He’ll need to improve his play in Memphis first, but there are signs of progress lately, possibly as he moves past the disappointment of missing the MLB roster.
While Koperniak isn’t likely to become a high-value trade asset for the Cardinals, he could follow a path similar to other outfielders who struggled to get opportunities in St. Louis but found success elsewhere — like Randy Arozarena, Adolis Garcia, Lane Thomas, and Richie Palacios. Koperniak might be a more modest version of that for another team.
All he really needs is an opportunity. He’s currently on the Cardinals’ 40-man roster, but breaking into the St. Louis lineup will probably require some injuries first. Several rebuilding teams might give him a chance in their outfield in the second half, and he could be traded to such a club either for bullpen depth or as a smaller piece in a larger deal.
He provides useful outfield depth for the Cardinals, so there’s no rush to move him. But if the team struggles to trade other players, Koperniak might be someone they feel more comfortable including in a deal to improve their roster.