SPORTZONE27

The St. Louis Cardinals are in a position that few anticipated only months ago—buyers with genuine postseason aspirations—as the 2025 MLB trade deadline draws near. Fueled by a combination of senior leadership and a young movement that has brought fresh vitality to the clubhouse, the Cardinals have roared back into the National League Wild Card race after a rough offseason and a poor start. The Cardinals are in a position to be among the most aggressive purchasers at this year’s deadline because the front office and ownership are now in agreement to push for October.

The 2025 season for the Cardinals began under a cloud of uncertainty. Following two disappointing campaigns, the front office had announced a “reset” strategy centered on developing talent and maintaining payroll flexibility. But early-season success, including an impressive nine-game win streak in June, quickly shifted the narrative. Suddenly, St. Louis was just one game back of the final Wild Card spot, with steadily climbing playoff odds since Opening Day.

The team’s turnaround hasn’t gone unnoticed. Club president John Mozeliak has made it clear that if the Cardinals stay in the playoff mix, ownership is ready to invest in trade deadline additions to strengthen the roster for a potential postseason push. The fanbase—used to seeing competitive baseball—has been reenergized, and the front office knows this is a window worth pursuing.

Still, despite the improved results, there are evident roster gaps. The starting rotation lacks a solid No. 2 option behind Sonny Gray, with injuries and inconsistency affecting the back end. There’s growing agreement that acquiring a proven, playoff-caliber starter could mean the difference between a quick Wild Card exit and a deeper playoff run. The bullpen also needs reinforcement, particularly with high-leverage arms Ryan Helsley and Phil Maton nearing free agency.

While the offense has had its ups and downs, pitching remains the top priority. Thanks to a strong farm system, the Cardinals are well-positioned to make a meaningful addition without sacrificing their long-term future.

The Trade

The Cardinals’ acquisition of starting pitcher Merrill Kelly from the Arizona Diamondbacks is the most likely blockbuster transaction before the deadline, according to an analysis of the market and the needs of competing teams. Kelly is just the kind of arm that St. Louis is looking for; he is a proven playoff performer with a team-friendly contract through 2026. With a roster shortage and a need to retool for the future, the Diamondbacks are on the verge of elimination and are willing to trade Kelly for the appropriate set of prospects [9].

Projected Trade Proposal

Cardinals receive:

• Merrill Kelly

Diamondbacks receive:

• Quinn Mathews
• Thomas Saggese
• Chase Davis

St. Louis has made a substantial but well-considered investment with this package. The centerpiece of the agreement is Mathews, the Cardinals’ No. 2 prospect and current Minor League Pitching Prospect of the Year. The package is completed by Davis, a power-hitting outfielder with potential, and Saggese, a flexible infielder with a solid hit tool. While St. Louis acquires a reliable starter to lead their postseason rotation, Arizona’s return kickstarts a retool with three players who are almost MLB-ready [7][8][10].

 

Why This Trade Makes Sense

The Cardinals’ pursuit of Merrill Kelly is a strategic move aimed at sustaining their recent momentum and shoring up their biggest weakness: the starting rotation. Kelly brings playoff pedigree, durability, and the ability to pitch deep into games—traits that offer immediate stability. He would slot in behind Sonny Gray, giving St. Louis a strong one-two rotation punch that’s critical for a postseason run. With the offense gaining traction and the bullpen holding firm, improving the rotation could be the missing piece.

Willingly parting with top prospects like Cooper Mathews and Thomas Saggese shows the front office’s confidence in this team’s ability to win now. Yet the Cardinals’ farm system remains well-stocked with talent such as Tink Hence, JJ Wetherholt, and Jimmy Crooks, ensuring the long-term outlook remains bright.

From the Diamondbacks’ perspective, this trade allows them to extract significant value from a player who may not factor into their future. In return for Kelly, they land three promising prospects and gain added payroll flexibility for upcoming moves.

Such a move would send a clear message across the National League. Known for their traditionally cautious approach, the Cardinals would be signaling that they’re all-in on contending this season. For a fanbase eager for playoff success, acquiring Kelly could reignite enthusiasm and boost attendance at Busch Stadium.

As the 2025 trade deadline approaches, the Cardinals are shaping up to be a team to watch. Targeting Kelly and leveraging their deep farm system is a bold bet by St. Louis—one that could define their season and possibly usher in a new chapter of postseason success.