3 Biggest Trade Deadline Questions for the Cardinals
By Parker White
It's been a weird first half for the St. Louis Cardinals, as they are hovering around the .500 mark after an early-season spurt. While that's not a great spot to be in, they are still in playoff contention, both in the division and the Wild Card. That's why the expectation is that this team will add when the trade deadline rolls around. With their immediate future in mind, here are three of the biggest trade deadline questions for the Cardinals.
3. Do They Stick With Matt Carpenter and Hope for Repeat Second Half?
Matt Carpenter is one of the unquestioned leaders of this team, and the Cardinals just gave him a contract extension. However, he's returned to the hot corner with the addition of Paul Goldschmidt, and for the second year in a row, he's had a dreadful first couple of months. But, as we know, Carpenter busted out in a big way last year and was an MVP candidate. Do they wait it out and hope for the same in 2019, or do they fix the problem with an acquisition at the trade deadline?
2. Will They Add Veteran Starter to Stabilize Rotation?
The Cardinals have a bunch of starters to fill out their rotation, both young and old, but they rank in the bottom-third of baseball in starter's ERA (4.72). Unless Miles Mikolas, Adam Wainwright and Michael Wacha can quickly turn their seasons around (or Carlos Martinez jumps back into the rotation), St. Louis has to seriously consider going on the trade market and adding a veteran, top-of-the-rotation starter. How about Madison Bumgarner?
1. Will They Keep Carlos Martinez in the Bullpen or Add Closer at Trade Deadline?
What the Cardinals decide to do with Carlos Martinez could shape their gameplan on how to address their pitching staff at the trade deadline. They could use him as a starter, and we know what he's capable of in that role, or they can continue to use him in the bullpen, like they are currently doing since bringing him off the injured list. Not only could he be a relief option, but perhaps they officially move him to the closer's role? Jordan Hicks and John Gant have been great, but Andrew Miller has struggled out of the gate, and they just released Luke Gregerson and optioned Dominic Leone.