MLB Rumors: St. Louis Cardinals Could Trade The Perfect Candidate To Acquire Isaac Paredes

The stove has been hot in St. Louis for months, and Isaac Paredes was on and off. Having shipped out franchise pillars like Nolan Arenado, Brendan Donovan, Sonny Gray, and Willson Contreras, the St. Louis Cardinals made it clear that this is a shift in direction. Chaim Bloom has leaned into flexibility. Control matters. Timelines matter more.

However, even after the headline moves, rival execs keep circling. The outfield isn’t exactly overflowing, yet names like Lars Nootbaar and Alec Burleson continue to pop up in league chatter. Nootbaar’s double heel surgery cooled momentum this winter. Burleson, meanwhile, has transitioned to first base, further complicating the optics of any deal. St. Louis doesn’t have to force anything. That’s key.

A column published on March 3 by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the Houston Astros are exploring ways to flip Isaac Paredes for a left-handed hitting outfielder, and St. Louis has the type.

“The necessary move is to trade third baseman Isaac Paredes for a left-handed-hitting outfielder, an idea the Astros have discussed most thoroughly with the Boston Red Sox, according to people briefed on the discussions. Talks stalled, however, and the clubs have not been in recent contact. …”