With the trade deadline less than a week away, the Cardinals returned from a tough road trip and managed to edge out the Padres 9–7 at home, pulling within 2.5 games of the final Wild Card spot. But is that enough to shift their stance ahead of the deadline?
When John Mozeliak spoke to reporters in Denver, he gave the impression that the front office was leaning toward selling. While he hasn’t made an official decision, he certainly seemed open to making moves. Following Wednesday’s 6–0 loss to the Rockies, The Athletic’s Katie Woo tweeted that the series defeat had all but cemented the Cardinals’ status as sellers. St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Derrick Goold echoed that sentiment in a subsequent article, reporting the team was trending toward offloading assets.
In my view, this is absolutely the right move. I’ve long believed the Cardinals should be sellers, and it appears they’re finally accepting that this roster isn’t built for a legitimate playoff push. Yes, the win over San Diego helped close the gap in the standings, but this team isn’t positioned to make a real postseason run.
One game shouldn’t — and likely won’t — change the overall direction. At this point, the evidence is clear. The starting rotation has deteriorated, and the offense has taken a step back. That’s forced the bullpen to carry an unsustainable load, often pitching more innings than they should.
The warning signs have been there for a while. The insiders are recognizing it. Mozeliak seems to be acknowledging it. Selling now gives Chaim Bloom the best chance to reshape the roster for 2026 and beyond. Bloom needs a clean foundation to work from, and it looks like the front office is finally embracing that.
In fact, the process may have already begun. Erick Fedde was designated for assignment, opening a rotation spot for Michael McGreevy, who now has the opportunity to prove himself. That move suggests a shift toward the future. The Cardinals also have three rental players they could move before the deadline.
Ryan Helsley notched his 20th save last night, further boosting his already high trade value. Bob Nightengale has reported that at least five contenders are actively pursuing him, and last night’s performance only added fuel to the fire.
Phil Maton tossed a clean eighth inning and is another likely trade piece who could fetch a solid return. JoJo Romero, though not a rental, might be moved as well. He’s raised his value this season and added to that with another scoreless outing last night.
Steven Matz didn’t pitch, but teams are reportedly showing interest in him too — and rightfully so.
Mozeliak has said he’s willing to wait until the final few days before the deadline to make moves. Personally, I’d prefer he act sooner — there’s no mystery left with this team. They are clearly sellers. Still, with the latest reports and Mozeliak’s recent comments, perhaps those trades will begin sooner than expected.
It’s never easy to admit your team isn’t a contender. Selling is painful, but it’s the right path. The farm system needs restocking, especially on the pitching side, after being thinned by injuries. Mozeliak seems to have accepted that and is prioritizing the franchise’s long-term health over short-term pride.
Even if the Cardinals were to make the playoffs, a quick exit seems inevitable. It’s best to move the rental relievers before the deadline and focus on bringing in quality prospects to help reset for the future.