The MLB trade deadline has finally arrived, and while the St. Louis Cardinals are expected to spend much of the day exploring deals that move veteran players in exchange for future assets, there is another path the front office could take. Rather than focusing exclusively on selling, the Cardinals also have an opportunity to acquire young, controllable talent capable of becoming foundational pieces for the next era of baseball in St. Louis.
This year’s trade market features several players who fit that description. Instead of making short-term additions aimed at salvaging the current season, the Cardinals could target players who remain under team control for years to come and who align with the organization’s long-term competitive timeline.
The likelihood of landing any of these names may be relatively slim, particularly given the high acquisition costs involved, but that does not mean the Cardinals shouldn’t explore the possibility. Whether through a blockbuster before the deadline or by laying the groundwork for offseason negotiations, St. Louis has every reason to investigate opportunities that could strengthen its young core.
Here are four players who could dramatically impact the Cardinals’ future if the organization finds a way to bring them to St. Louis.
Jackson Holliday
Among all the potential trade candidates, few names are more intriguing—or more meaningful to Cardinals fans—than Jackson Holliday. The son of Cardinals Hall of Famer Matt Holliday, Jackson has been one of baseball’s most highly regarded prospects since the Baltimore Orioles selected him with the first overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft.
Now in his third major league season, Holliday has continued to prove why he was considered one of the game’s premier young talents. Through 60 games, the 22-year-old is batting .252 with a .356 on-base percentage and a .387 slugging percentage while contributing five home runs and five stolen bases. Beyond the numbers, he has provided dependable defense at second base and produced a 113 weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+), indicating he has been comfortably above league average offensively.
Perhaps even more fascinating are reports suggesting there are individuals within the Cardinals organization who would “move heaven and earth” to bring Holliday to St. Louis if the opportunity presented itself. Given his family history with the franchise, the connection is obvious, but the attraction goes well beyond sentiment.
At only 22 years old, Holliday is still developing physically and refining his offensive approach. His ceiling remains exceptionally high, and history suggests the Holliday family has a knack for adding strength without sacrificing athleticism. Both his father Matt and younger brother Ethan have demonstrated impressive physical development, giving evaluators reason to believe Jackson’s power could continue to grow as he matures.
From the Cardinals’ perspective, Holliday could eventually solve one of the organization’s biggest long-term questions. While he currently plays second base, his athleticism and baseball instincts could allow him to transition elsewhere if needed. Third base, in particular, remains an area where St. Louis lacks a clear long-term answer, making Holliday an especially attractive fit.
Naturally, acquiring a player of his caliber would require an enormous package. Baltimore would likely demand multiple premium prospects or young major league contributors in return. Still, because Holliday remains under team control through the 2030 season, he perfectly matches the Cardinals’ rebuilding timeline. Rather than chasing immediate success, St. Louis could invest in a player capable of anchoring its lineup for years.
George Kirby
If the Cardinals decide to strengthen their starting rotation with a proven frontline arm, Seattle Mariners right-hander George Kirby may represent the ideal target.
Trade speculation involving St. Louis and Seattle has existed for years, largely because the Mariners have consistently possessed an abundance of pitching while the Cardinals have sought rotation upgrades. Although names like Emerson Hancock have surfaced in rumors before, Kirby would represent an entirely different level of acquisition.
The 27-year-old has established himself as one of the American League’s most reliable starters. Across 133 career starts, Kirby owns a 3.61 ERA while consistently working deep into games and limiting damage against opposing offenses. His exceptional command, ability to avoid walks, and efficient pitch mix have made him one of baseball’s most dependable inning-eaters.
For a Cardinals organization searching for long-term rotation stability, Kirby checks virtually every box. While the farm system features several promising pitching prospects, developing young starters always carries uncertainty. Acquiring an established major league arm with years of proven success significantly reduces that risk.
The biggest obstacle, of course, would be the asking price. Cost-controlled frontline starters are among the most valuable assets in baseball, and Seattle would almost certainly require a substantial return. Kirby also has less remaining club control than someone like Holliday, making the investment even more significant.
Even so, many evaluators around baseball believe Kirby has another level he has yet to reach. Some scouts see untapped upside that could emerge in the right environment. If the Cardinals believe their coaching staff can help unlock another gear, pursuing Kirby could transform their rotation for several seasons.
While landing Kirby would undoubtedly require sacrificing premium prospects, the reward could justify the cost. Frontline starters are difficult to acquire through free agency without committing massive financial resources, making the trade market one of the few realistic avenues for adding this caliber of talent.
Marcelo Mayer
Another fascinating name who could fit the Cardinals’ long-term plans is Boston Red Sox infielder Marcelo Mayer.
Selected fourth overall in the 2021 MLB Draft during Chaim Bloom’s tenure in Boston, Mayer entered professional baseball carrying enormous expectations. Widely regarded as one of the sport’s elite prospects, he was praised for possessing an advanced left-handed swing, excellent bat-to-ball skills, impressive plate discipline, and developing power that projected well for the major leagues.
His transition to the majors, however, has not gone as smoothly as many anticipated.
While Mayer has struggled to establish consistent production at the highest level, those early growing pains may actually create an opportunity for interested teams. If Boston becomes willing to sell at a discounted price because of his uneven major league performance, the Cardinals could find themselves in position to acquire one of baseball’s most talented young infielders without paying peak value.
This is precisely the type of calculated gamble rebuilding organizations often pursue. Mayer is still only 23 years old, meaning there remains ample time for him to adjust to major league pitching and reach the potential that made him such a coveted prospect.
His offensive profile remains especially appealing. Scouts long viewed his hitting ability as nearly double-plus, while also projecting above-average power as he matured. If those tools eventually translate consistently in the majors, Mayer has the ceiling to become an impact middle-of-the-order hitter.
The Cardinals could also benefit from his defensive versatility. While he has primarily played shortstop, there is little doubt he possesses the athletic ability to shift elsewhere if necessary. Third base once again appears to be the most logical long-term destination, where his strong arm and instincts could make him a valuable everyday defender.
Because Mayer remains under team control through the 2031 season, St. Louis would have plenty of time to help him develop into a cornerstone player.
A trade package could take multiple forms. Boston may prefer receiving prospects, or the clubs could structure a larger deal involving major league players such as Riley O’Brien or Ivan Herrera alongside additional assets. Regardless of the exact framework, Mayer represents the kind of high-upside investment that rebuilding teams often regret passing on if the acquisition cost remains reasonable.
Reid Detmers
If Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak decides to revisit familiar territory by negotiating with his former organization, the Los Angeles Angels, left-handed starter Reid Detmers stands out as perhaps the most logical target.
Detmers has experienced an impressive turnaround this season after several inconsistent years early in his major league career. The former first-round draft pick appears to have unlocked the potential that made him one of baseball’s most highly regarded pitching prospects.
Across 22 starts this season, Detmers has generated strikeouts against 28.3 percent of opposing hitters while posting an outstanding 3.35 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP), suggesting his underlying performance has been even stronger than traditional statistics may indicate.
For the Cardinals, his appeal extends well beyond this season. Detmers remains under club control for two additional years following the 2026 campaign, providing St. Louis with a valuable left-handed rotation piece throughout its competitive window.
Unlike George Kirby, Detmers has not yet fully established himself as a perennial frontline starter, which should make his acquisition cost more manageable. That difference could prove significant if the Cardinals hope to improve their pitching staff without sacrificing the very top of their farm system.
The timing may also be favorable. The Angels recently traded Jose Soriano to the Toronto Blue Jays, signaling a willingness to reshape their roster and entertain offers for controllable talent. If Los Angeles remains open to further discussions, the Cardinals should be among the teams making inquiries.
Detmers possesses the combination of youth, strikeout ability, and remaining team control that fits exactly what St. Louis should be seeking. Should the Angels maintain a reasonable asking price, he could become one of the smarter long-term additions available before the deadline.
Looking Beyond 2026
Although the Cardinals are widely expected to focus on selling before the trade deadline expires, that approach does not prevent them from simultaneously investing in the future. Acquiring players like Jackson Holliday, George Kirby, Marcelo Mayer, or Reid Detmers would not represent an attempt to rescue the current season. Instead, each move would reflect a commitment to building a sustainable contender over the next several years.
Every player on this list offers something the Cardinals value: youth, upside, and multiple seasons of team control. Whether it’s adding a future star infielder, securing a dependable frontline starter, or buying low on a once-elite prospect, these are the types of moves that can accelerate a franchise’s transition from rebuilding to competing.
Pulling off any of these trades would undoubtedly require creativity, patience, and a willingness to part with meaningful assets. However, if St. Louis truly intends to construct its next championship-caliber roster rather than simply reset for another season, these are exactly the kinds of bold opportunities worth pursuing—either before the deadline or when trade discussions resume during the offseason.
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