The Detroit Tigers are eyeing a deep postseason run this October after storming through the first half of the season with the best record in Major League Baseball. At 49-30, they’ve built a comfortable eight-game cushion atop the American League Central.
With just over five weeks until the MLB trade deadline, Detroit is poised to be active in the buyers’ market as they look to go all-in for a potential World Series push. After falling short in the ALDS last season, the Tigers are back stronger—welcoming the return of starter Jack Flaherty, seeing improved offensive production from key role players, and still relying on Cy Young contender Tarik Skubal. Still, the roster feels one or two impact pieces away from truly contending.
Could the Cardinals Be Trade Partners?
In a proposed trade scenario, the St. Louis Cardinals could send left-handed pitcher Steven Matz to Detroit.
MLB.com’s Thomas Harrigan recently highlighted the Cardinals as potential sellers and identified Matz as a logical trade candidate:
“After a quiet offseason—where months of Nolan Arenado trade speculation led nowhere, and Phil Maton was their only notable signing—2025 was seen as a transitional year for St. Louis. Despite outperforming expectations at times, the team’s inconsistency has raised more questions than answers about their direction.”
Matz, currently in the final year of a $44 million contract, could serve as a perfect rental for a Tigers team that recently lost top pitching prospect Jackson Jobe to Tommy John surgery and now finds itself in need of rotation depth.
“Given the context, Matz is arguably the Cardinals’ most attractive trade chip,” Harrigan wrote. “Though he was signed as a starter, injuries limited his effectiveness, resulting in a 4.47 ERA over the first three years of his deal. In 2025, he’s revived his value as a multi-inning reliever, posting a 2.66 ERA, a 1.89 FIP, and a 38-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 40 2/3 innings. That kind of production makes him appealing to bullpen-needy teams, though St. Louis might need to eat some salary to get a meaningful return.”
A Flexible Option for Detroit’s Staff
While Matz has mostly pitched out of the bullpen this year—logging just two starts—his background as a starter gives the Tigers options. Whether used in long relief or as an opener, his versatility could help stabilize Detroit’s rotation and preserve the bullpen over the stretch run.
Since Matz is viewed as a short-term rental, the Tigers likely wouldn’t have to give up significant prospect capital to land him. As the calendar nears July and the trade market heats up, Detroit will be a team to watch—and the Cardinals could be a valuable partner in their search for pitching reinforcements.