After a sluggish 14–19 start that fueled trade rumors around Nolan Arenado, Ryan Helsley, and even Sonny Gray, the Cardinals have caught fire—winning 13 of their last 15 games. They now trail the division-leading Cubs by just one game and are beginning to look more like playoff contenders than trade deadline sellers.
Naturally, this surge has sparked speculation that St. Louis could become buyers come July. With the rotation stabilizing and the offense waking up, Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter suggested the Cardinals might pursue another quality starter to slot behind Gray and Matthew Liberatore. While Miles Mikolas, Erick Fedde, and Andre Pallante have helped round out the staff, the team could benefit from a more dependable option.
A Word of Warning
However, not everyone is sold on this idea. Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch urged caution, warning that making aggressive moves now could derail the long-term rebuild the team committed to last fall.
“The notion that the Cardinals would consider adding at the deadline is nonsense,” Worthy wrote. “It would reflect an organization backing away from tough but necessary choices made months ago—just to quiet criticism.”
This doesn’t mean the Cardinals should tear everything down if they remain in the playoff hunt. But pursuing short-term fixes could repeat past missteps—prioritizing immediate results at the expense of sustainable growth. Worthy’s caution feels especially relevant considering the team’s history of clinging to aging cores and missed opportunities.
Why Standing Still Might Be Smarter
St. Louis still faces deep-rooted challenges, particularly in developing high-upside pitchers. Years of focusing on position players have left the farm system thin on impact arms. Trading assets for a short-term rental could leave the franchise stuck—neither rebuilding nor truly contending.
There’s also a timing issue. Veterans like Arenado are aging, while younger players like Jordan Walker and Masyn Winn are just beginning to emerge. A hasty “win-now” move based on a brief hot streak might mask underlying flaws.
A Balanced Strategy
That said, the Cardinals don’t need to stay idle. If the strong play continues, they could pursue measured upgrades—such as young, controllable pitchers or MLB-ready talent in exchange for expiring deals. Small, strategic additions could bolster the roster without undermining long-term goals.
The NL Central is still up for grabs. The Cubs are within reach, the Brewers vulnerable, and the Reds inconsistent. There’s no need to go all-in just to keep pace. St. Louis can remain competitive without jeopardizing its future.
Don’t Let a Hot May Dictate July Plans
The team’s recent momentum is encouraging—the rotation is settling, the bullpen has held strong, and the offense is clicking when healthy. Still, the Cardinals must avoid letting short-term success sway their broader strategy.
As Worthy notes, reacting to the current standings could undercut the foundational changes the front office aimed to make. St. Louis needs to keep its long-term vision in focus, resisting the temptation to chase fleeting success.
Because if they let one strong month steer their trade deadline plans, they risk ending up in the same spot they’ve been before—stuck in mediocrity, without a clear direction forward.