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Cardinals Eyeing Joe Ryan Amidst a Rebuild Year
19 Jun
Summary
- Cardinals are in a reset year but are surprisingly in playoff contention.
- Top trade target Joe Ryan has a 3.17 ERA and team control for another year.
- Acquiring Ryan would require significant prospects, potentially hindering the rebuild.
The St. Louis Cardinals find themselves in an unexpected position during their 2026 rebuild, currently holding a strong second-place standing in the NL Central and the top National League Wild Card spot. This success has raised questions about their potential activity at the upcoming trade deadline.
If the Cardinals maintain their performance and stay significantly above .500, a "splash" trade could be considered. However, their bullpen and rotation have shown significant weaknesses, with pitchers like Matthew Liberatore and Kyle Leahy struggling. ESPN insiders have linked the Cardinals as a potential fit for Minnesota Twins ace Joe Ryan.
Joe Ryan, who boasts a 3.17 ERA and team control through 2027, presents an attractive option. However, acquiring him would demand a substantial package of top prospects. The Cardinals would need to be genuine World Series contenders for such a move to be justifiable, given the potential impact on their rebuilding efforts.
