Two Productive Cardinals Who Should Be Traded This Offseason

Jun 28, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals players (from left) Alec Burleson and Blaze Jordan congratulate St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Riley O'Brien after the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium. Man… | Source: Lastwordonsports.com - Andrew Willis, EditorLast offseason, the St. Louis Cardinals made multiple trades, sending away core players like Nolan Arenado, Brendan Donovan, Willson Contreras, and Sonny Gray. These trades helped start the organization’s rebuild. While the 2026 season exceeded expectations, the Cardinals are still rebuilding. While they have some core players in their future, two productive players should be traded as part of the rebuild.Two Productive Cardinals Who Should Be Traded This OffseasonIvan HerreraHerrera has played three full seasons in Major League Baseball. He is coming off an All-Star season where he hit 19 home runs and drove in 69 runs.THAT’S A WINNER!Iván Herrera walks it off in extras 😱 https://t.co/n1EoQwXWYS— MLB (@MLB) July 30, 2026The Panama native will not become a free agent until after the 2029 season. He is entering his arbitration years after completing his pre-arbitration period.Why Trade Herrera?Herrera is certainly a productive player for the Cardinals. He, Alec Burleson, and Jordan Walker formed a strong 2-3-4 lineup combo. He also puts the ball in play a lot, striking out only 19.2% of the time.However, Herrera is limited in where he can play. Despite coming up in the organization as a catcher, he has not been reliable enough behind the plate. This has limited him to serving as the designated hitter more often than not. Furthermore, Leo Bernal‘s emergence late last season is keeping Herrera firmly in the DH spot. With Burleson still on the team and Raniel Rodriguez’s debut on the horizon, the Cardinals have a logjam on the roster.Trading Herrera would create roster flexibility. Also, trading a productive player like him could add pieces that fit the Cardinals’ future. It does not even need to be for prospects. Herrera could be included in a package for a starting pitcher with team control.Herrera’s limitations on the field may decrease his value, but his bat should be more than enough to warrant a good return. The Cardinals should take advantage of this and check many boxes with one trade.Riley O’BrienLike Herrera, O’Brien enjoyed an All-Star season. He finished tied for the National League lead in saves with 38.Jul 14, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Riley O’Brien (55) pitches during the third inning for the All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn ImagesHe is not a free agent until after the 2030 season. Although he is 31 now, early-career injuries delayed his service time, so he is still in his arbitration years.Why Trade O’Brien?O’Brien’s situation is interesting. He had a breakout season and still has team control on a rebuilding team. The only downside is his age. At 31, most pitchers are at the end of their prime. The Cardinals do not know how much O’Brien has in the tank. He did struggle in the final few months of the season. Was that just from pitching a career high in innings, or could it mean something more?O’Brien’s value is incredibly high right now. Teams who want to contend for the World Series are always looking to add bullpen arms. Even if a team already has an established closer, they may still want to trade for someone who can help shorten the game. Like Herrera, Riley O’Brien could be part of a trade that brings in more young talent and/or MLB-ready talent that the team needs.There is also the hindsight factor. The Cardinals have seen what happens when they fail to sell high on a closer. In 2024, they elected not to trade Ryan Helsley, who recorded 49 saves. Instead, they kept him, but his production dipped in 2025. When they finally traded him, the return was much lower.Between O’Brien’s age and the experience with Helsley, it would make sense to sell high. Does this add even more holes to an uncertain bullpen? It does, but the opportunity at a high return is too good to pass up.The Last WordPresident of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom and newly named general manager Rob Cerferolio will look to keep the organization on track for success. There may not be as many core players to move this offseason, but between Ivan Herrera and Riley O’Brien, the return could be nice.Main Photo: Tim Vizer- Imagn ImagesOther MLB News/AnalysisReport: Cardinals Make External Hitting Coach Hire, Recruit from White Sox StaffEarly Award Picks for the 2026 Arizona Fall LeagueBrett Baty Could Hold Third Base for the Pirates Until Top Prospect Is Ready