When executives start using words like “momentum” and “optimism” together at the Winter Meetings, that’s usually a sign that something is close.
#cardinals express "optimism" of having momentum now for a deal, via trade. Mozeliak and Girsch both used that term. The free agent pursuits are secondary at this point. #Mlb #stlcards
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) December 12, 2017
To be sure, that doesn’t mean a trade is happening tonight, but the Cardinals have been extremely active on the trade market this offseason, so it wouldn’t be the least bit surprising if they finally got somewhere.
Consider how many potential trade partners are heavily in the rumor mill right now. The Tampa Bay Rays are considering tearing down, and the Cardinals have been connected to closer Alex Colome and third baseman Evan Longoria. The Miami Marlins are selling off every outfielder that isn’t bolted down, and the Cardinals have reportedly been heavy on Marcell Ozuna. Goold wrote at length about the Cardinals and Ozuna today, and the talks the teams had about Giancarlo Stanton will have served as a foundation for how each team values the Cardinals’ prospects. If I had to bet on where the “momentum” might be, it’s probably there with the Marlins and Ozuna or with the Rays and Colome.
There are other Cardinals connections, though.
The Baltimore Orioles are seriously shopping Manny Machado, and the Cardinals are involved there, too (obligatory Nightengale caveat applies, but he’s pretty tapped in with St. Louis):
The #STLCards also among the teams interested in #Orioles 3B Manny Machado, who wants to move back to SS if he stays in Baltimore. The Orioles now more inclined to move him, but no one can predict what owner Peter Angelos will ultimately decide
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 12, 2017
And then there’s an older rumor that could be coming back:
#STLCards have spoken with #BlueJays about Donaldson at meetings, sources tell The Athletic. No indication a deal is close. To this point, Jays seemingly bullish about keeping Donaldson, looking to add. GM Atkins mentioned Jay Bruce, CarGo as possible fits to reporters today.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 12, 2017
The Cardinals are going to do something. There are too many options available to them and too great of a need for them not to get a deal done eventually. And, given the “momentum” and “optimism,” I’m thinking it’s probably coming as soon as here at the Winter Meetings.
If you’re interested, Cardinals, I have a suggestion:
Trade Proposal:
Cardinals Get: Manny Machado
Orioles Get: Every Cardinals Prospect, Alex Reyes, $4 Billion Check (to be forwarded to me)— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) December 12, 2017
UPDATE: This reads like things have progressed quite a bit between the Marlins and Cardinals:
The #STLCardinals are viewed as the frontrunner for #Marlins Marcell Ozuna. Possibilities that could be in package are two of these three pitching prospects – Jack Flaherty, Dakota Hudson or Sandy Alcantara, plus either OF Stephen Piscotty or Randal Grichuk.
— Joe Frisaro (@JoeFrisaro) December 13, 2017