Cardinals Pursue Major Trades Amid Prospect Development

The St. Louis Cardinals have several notable prospects and trade opportunities shaping their future. JJ Wetherholt, the team's No. 1 prospect, is projected to become a top five MLB second baseman by 2030, currently excelling in Double-A Springfield and expected to debut in St. Louis by 2026. On the trade front, the Cardinals are considering deals involving expiring pitchers like Ryan Helsley and Erick Fedde, with the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees as potential partners. A trade with the Dodgers could target former top prospect Bobby Miller, who may benefit from a fresh start in St. Louis, while a deal with the Yankees might see the Cardinals acquire outfield prospect Spencer Jones in exchange for Helsley. Additionally, the Cardinals' pitching prospects are making progress, with No. 3 prospect Tink Hence returning from injury to begin a rehab assignment after a promising 2024 season but ongoing durability concerns. These developments highlight the Cardinals' balance of cultivating young talent and leveraging veteran assets in trades to strengthen their roster.