Alec Burleson Reacts to Cardinals Trade Decision

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Alec Burleson Reacts to Cardinals Trade Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Miracle Dimwesh | Last updated Aug 21, 2026 5:26 PM ET

Alec Burleson can finally put the trade rumors behind him. The St. Louis Cardinals first baseman and outfielder admitted he felt a huge sense of relief after learning the team would keep him beyond the trade deadline.

Burleson had been mentioned in trade discussions leading up to the deadline, leaving him unsure where he would be playing for the remainder of the season. Manager Oliver Marmol eventually gave him the news that he was staying in St. Louis.

The timing of the conversation made the moment even more memorable. Marmol reportedly spoke with Burleson about an hour before the Cardinals’ game against the New York Yankees, allowing him to enter the game knowing his immediate future had been settled.

“On the off chance that I was traded at the deadline, it would’ve hurt.”@AlecBurleson9 wants to see it through with the Cardinals. pic.twitter.com/xURZs2Quop
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) August 21, 2026

Burleson responded with one of the biggest performances of his career. He hit three consecutive two-run home runs against three different pitchers as St. Louis rolled to a 13-7 victory at Yankee Stadium.

The performance offered a dramatic response after several days of uncertainty. Rather than letting the trade speculation linger, Burleson turned his attention to the field and delivered a memorable offensive performance.

The Cardinals also appear committed to keeping Burleson as part of their plans moving forward. His combination of left-handed power and versatility gives St. Louis an important offensive piece as it continues to reshape its roster.

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson (41) Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Burleson has backed that role with a productive 2026 season. He entered Friday batting .288 with 21 home runs and 93 RBIs across 128 games, establishing himself as one of the Cardinals’ most reliable run producers.

St. Louis sits third in the National League Central at 66-63, 13.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers. With the Cardinals still pushing in the postseason race, keeping Burleson gives the club another established bat for the stretch run.

For Burleson, the biggest relief may simply be knowing where he will finish the season. After weeks of uncertainty, he can now focus on helping the Cardinals chase a playoff spot.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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