NEWSLETTER
The Mike Leake trade today sure looks like a white flag salary dump, but that’s such a foreign concept for the modern Cardinals that I needed to hear it to believe it.
These are not quotes I ever thought I’d see emanating out of St. Louis at this time of year, even as they stand five games out with a month to play:
Mozeliak on Leake deal: Let's start our offseason now, want to get young pitching. Looking to start thinking about contending in the future.
— Cat Garcia (@TheBaseballGirl) August 30, 2017
Mozeliak: It made sense to start offseason moves now. "Important to start younger track of pitching starting today." #STLCards
— KMOXSports (@KMOXSports) August 30, 2017
Mozeliak: "If we are trying to shuffle the deck this offseason this was a rare opportunity now."
— Cat Garcia (@TheBaseballGirl) August 30, 2017
Mozeliak said that what drove this trade was #stlcards desire to go young in rotation beginning in 2018.
— Jenifer Langosch (@LangoschMLB) August 30, 2017
The Cardinals made a run after the Trade Deadline, briefly tying the Cubs atop the standings in the NL Central. But just as I said they should have sold at the non-waiver Trade Deadline, I must concede that selling off now at the waiver trade deadline makes sense in the long-term, especially given the odds that they could overcome the Cubs and Brewers at this point are extremely slim.
They will do some hoping, though:
Mozaliek on contending: "We certainly feel like we are still in this."
— Cat Garcia (@TheBaseballGirl) August 30, 2017
Mozeliak: We expect to compete, we're just going to do it w/ a different name & a different face – creating opportunity internally #STLCards
— KMOXSports (@KMOXSports) August 30, 2017
The Cardinals do have a number of young starting pitchers they can give looks next year (and in September, as Mozeliak implied), and with Leake and his salary out of the mix, the Cardinals will also have the opportunity to explore free agency in a very serious way, both this offseason and next. They have plenty of money available to spend, especially now. Be prepared for that, Cubs fans.
For now, though, the season is effectively over for the Cardinals. White flag waved.
The Central is very likely down to the Cubs and Brewers.
