The St. Louis Cardinals' outfield could end up looking pretty different in 2024.
St. Louis needs to improve its starting rotation and if it fails to land hurlers in free agency likely will turn toward the trade market. The Cardinals have some intriguing trade pieces and a logjam in the outfield so it makes sense that the club likely will at least make a move or two.
The Cardinals have been in trade rumors seemingly since the beginning of the 2023 season and outfielders Dylan Carlson and Tyler O'Neill even were recently ranked in Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter's list of top-30 offseason trade chips at No. 25 and No. 29.
"In the two years since that strong debut, (Carlson) has a 92 OPS+ in 743 plate appearances, but he is still only 24 years old with three remaining years of club control," Reuter said. "He represents an intriguing buy-low candidate for teams looking to add outfield help, and the Cardinals could use his still-appealing upside to try to bolster their starting rotation on the trade market this winter...
"The St. Louis Cardinals have an abundance of outfield talent, and O'Neill might be the most likely to be dealt this winter as the team looks to unclog that logjam and bolster the pitching staff."
Both Carlson and O'Neill have found their name in trade rumors a multitude of times since the beginning of the 2023 season. St. Louis ultimately held on to both, but it sounds like they will be making a move this offseason. It appears as though at least one of the duo has played his final game in St. Louis.
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