Predicting Cardinals’ biggest move before MLB trade deadline

Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

Predicting Cardinals’ biggest move before MLB trade deadline

Originally posted on MLB on ClutchPoints
By Joey Mistretta, ClutchPoints | Last updated Jul 16, 2026 12:57 PM ET

The St. Louis Cardinals have been one of the best stories in baseball this season. The ball club entered the season in a rebuild, yet the Cardinals have upset expectations and have become a contender in the National League. Despite their success, the Cardinals are not expected to go all in at the MLB trade deadline. They are still rebuilding and moving on from their top prospects would be risky, especially while trying to compete in a National League that features the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, St. Louis could still make a move or two.

A number of trade candidates make sense for the Cardinals. They need to address their starting pitching. While they probably won’t acquire superstars such as Tarik Skubal or Joe Ryan, bringing in a pitcher such as Los Angeles Angels starter Reid Detmers would be reasonable.

Why Cardinals will trade for Reid Detmers

Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Cardinals need starting pitching but likely won’t want to surrender their best prospects. Detmers is the perfect fit for them given their situation.

The left-handed pitcher is under contract through 2028, so that will increase his trade value. The 27-year-old has endured an up and down season, though. In all reality, he has been quite inconsistent for most of his big league career.

Detmers made his MLB debut in 2021 with the Angels, but only appeared in five games. His first full season was in 2022, when Detmers pitched to a respectable 3.77 ERA across 25 outings. It seemed as if LA had found a reliable starting pitcher.

The 2023 campaign saw him pitch to an underwhelming 4.48 ERA, though. He struggled in 2024 and was limited to 17 starts. In 2025, Detmers made 61 appearances out of the bullpen, as he recorded a 3.96 ERA.

The Angels moved Detmers back to the rotation this year. He currently holds a 4.39 ERA across 19 starts. He has 123 strikeouts in his 108.2 innings of work on the mound as well.

His current numbers do not jump off the page. The Cardinals would benefit from adding a veteran starter, though. Detmers has also flashed his potential at times. He would be capable of starting a postseason game and giving the ball club an opportunity to win.

The Cardinals won’t make the biggest splash in baseball before the MLB trade deadline, but look for St. Louis to acquire Reid Detmers from the Angels.

This article first appeared on MLB on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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