The St. Louis Cardinals are aiming to catch the San Francisco Giants in the wild card race and return to the postseason for the first time since 2022. This push comes during a year initially meant to ease Chaim Bloom into his new role as president of baseball operations. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Cardinals are expected to be buyers at the trade deadline, with Tampa Bay Rays starter seen as a potential target.
St. Louis has struggled with inconsistency in its rotation, particularly from Erick Fedde and Miles Mikolas, and if the team is serious about making a playoff run, it will need to bring in a reliable arm. Top star, a 24-year-old under team control through 2030, could be that solution. Despite underwhelming numbers this season, he’s posted back-to-back years with over 10 strikeouts per nine innings and currently holds a 47.7% ground ball rate. Paired with the Cardinals’ infield defense, his stats could improve.
The challenge is that Tampa Bay isn’t necessarily looking to deal Bradley at the moment. However, with Shane McClanahan nearing a return and the Rays having a surplus of starters, a trade could be possible—especially if the Cardinals are willing to move some of their catching prospects. Over the next two weeks, St. Louis must assess its rotation needs and determine whether it’s worth trading future assets to chase a 2025 postseason berth.