8 Cardinals trade ideas that our readers believe should be pursued this offseason are ranked.
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This framework has some interesting elements. However, I do believe that it is a little biased in the Rays’ favor. The Cardinals acquire their second front-end starter in Glasnow in this trade, but they also acquire a potent reliever in Jason Adam, who has several years of control remaining. The Cardinals should definitely acquire both of these arms, but I believe the cost is a little too high.
Burleson still possesses a great deal of team control and the potential to develop into a long-term impact left-handed hitter for a team. Although I don’t think this is what this proposal is about, I do think his name is used far too frequently in packages. In primarily a part-time capacity, he has made precisely 400 plate appearances at the Major League level. His outstanding swing and simply mashing pitches propelled him through St. Louis’ system, where he was rated as a top-100 prospect upon making his debut.
Though I don’t think all three of these players are necessary in this deal, I would make him available in a Glasnow deal, particularly if they are also getting Adam.
This package should be changed to Edman and Burleson or Edman and O’Neill, in my opinion. I believe Edman is more of a liability than most realize, particularly if Dylan Carlson is retained by the Cardinals. Sure, there are worries about Winn’s ability to play shortstop in the event of a setback or even just in pinch starts, but I believe you can sign a depth option there or rely on Saggese and Donovan to fill in. Edman is currently in his second year of arbitration. In 2025, he should receive a salary of about $10 million, and he will then look to sign a long-term contract. With their long-term options in center field and middle infield, I simply don’t see the Cardinals having to pay him.
However, at the time of the deal, the Cardinals were trading eight years of control for four years of control, which isn’t ideal for St. Louis in my opinion. Though I believe both parties could agree on a Burleson/Edman deal here, I’m sure they’d prefer to part with Edman and O’Neill. Additionally, the Cardinals would be able to trade O’Neill for a different reliever or a deeper prospect, which would be extremely beneficial as they restructure their team this offseason.
