With the Miami Marlins in town, it always hurts to see Sandy Alcantara on the mound, not in a Cardinals uniform. Read below to look back at all the trades won and lost over the years by the Cardinals.
We have discussed some of the best trades that the Cardinals have won but not often do we talk about trades we have lost. In recent years, the Cardinals have made a lot of great trades but one trade stands out of how bad we lost.
The St. Louis Cardinals have won the first two games of the three-game series against the Miami Marlins. The Marlins will throw their ace on Wednesday night, former St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguer, Sandy Alcantara. Alcantara was traded in 2017 for Marcell Ozuna, who was peaking at that time.
I always wonder what could have been if the Cardinals did not trade for Ozuna. Sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose.
Throughout the year, the Cardinals have typically come out on the winning side. Some of the most memorable trades include Lou Brock, Mark McGwire, Matt Holliday, Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado.
What trades stand out to you over the years?
Ozuna comes to St. Louis
In the winter of 2017, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Miami Marlins combined for a blockbuster trade that sent Marcell Ozuna to St. Louis for Sandy Alcantara, Zac Gallen, Daniel Castano and Magneuris Sierra.
Ozuna spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons in St. Louis, hitting .262 with a .327 on-base percentage, slugging .451 in two years. Ozuna was brought in to be a power bat that the outfield was missing and he did provide 52 home runs and 177 RBIs. After realizing Ozuna is a defensive liability, the two sides were unable to agree on a contract extension, allowing Ozuna to sign with the Atlanta Braves.
Not only is Sandy Alcantara performing at a very high level for the Marlins but Zac Gallen is doing very well for the Arizona Diamondbacks now as well. Alcantara brings a 1.95 ERA into his start tonight in 15 starts. His WAR is the highest of any player on the Miami team.
Meanwhile, Gallen leads the Diamondbacks in ERA and strikeouts this season. His 3.32 ERA does not place him in the top 10 among National League pitchers but it has led him to four wins on the season.
It is safe to say that the Cardinals have lost this trade.
That’s Gold, Jerry, Gold
Going back a few years, Paul Goldschmidt is quietly one of the best trades the Cardinals have ever made. At that point in time, St. Louis was lacking an everyday first baseman that could contribute at a high level. That all changed when the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to send Goldschmidt to St. Louis.
The Cardinals gave up what seemed like a haul at the time. Luke Weaver, Carson Kelly and Andrew Young. Weaver was coming off a rough season in 2018 and Kelly was supposed to take over behind the plate for Yadier Molina but with Molina still playing at a high level, it was time to move Kelly.
If the season ended today, Paul Goldschmidt's MVP case would be pretty undeniable pic.twitter.com/7qRXku54gM
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 25, 2022
What the Cardinals received in Goldschmidt is arguably greater than what Kelly would ever be able to provide. In four years as a Cardinal, Goldschmidt is putting up numbers just shy of what he did in Arizona. This season alone is the point and case as to why the Cardinals won the trade with Goldschmidt.
Goldschmidt is currently the favorite in voting for the 2022 All-Star Game at first base for the National League. He is the favorite to win the MVP at this point with a .347 BA, .429 OBP and a 1.068 OPS. Goldschmidt has previously finished runner-up in 2013 for NL MVP.
Cardinals fleece Rockies
I know it, you know it, we all know that the Cardinals fleeced the Colorado Rockies in the trade for Nolan Arenado. We gave up Austin Gomber, Elehuris Montero, Mateo Gil, Tony Locey and Jake Sommers. Oh, and by the way, the Rockies also are paying part of Arenado’s salary currently.
Just another #NolanBeingNolan!#STLCards x @ShaneCompany pic.twitter.com/5P52jWf4CL
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) June 29, 2022
Montero has played for the Rockies this season at the big league level but the video above shows how Arenado has paid off for the Cardinals. If it brings a championship, it could go down as one of the best moves by the Cardinals front office. There is still an opt-out that is possible after this season and depending on how the team performs will lead to that decision.
