John Mozeliak and St. Louis Poised to Sell at Trade Deadline
Just one series out of the All-Star break, and the St. Louis Cardinals’ path forward is already shifting — and not in the way fans hoped. John Mozeliak hints at a selloff.
After being swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks, a fellow bubble team in the NL, St. Louis now finds itself just two games over .500 with a bloated payroll and playoff dreams fading fast. And according to John Mozeliak, the team’s longtime head of baseball ops, the Cardinals are already prepping to be sellers at the 2025 MLB trade deadline.
According to Derrick Goold:
This is something MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal has been saying for a while.
Teams are calling, and the Cardinals are listening — especially when it comes to pending free agents. Mozeliak added that he’ll be consulting with veterans holding no-trade clauses, including Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, and Miles Mikolas. But for others? Their exits seem pre-ordained at this juncture.
Let’s break down the top three Cardinals trade candidates:
1. Ryan Helsley – RP
The crown jewel of the Cardinals’ deadline assets, Helsley is a proven late-inning weapon and set to hit free agency this winter. Though his numbers have dipped slightly from his 2024 Cy Young-caliber campaign (ninth in voting), he’s still a premium bullpen arm with October upside.
In 34 appearances this season, Helsley owns a 3.18 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and 37 strikeouts in 34 innings. His command has wavered at times, and hard contact is up significantly (44.3% vs. 35.4% last year), but he’s still hitting triple digits and flashing that nasty slider.
If the Cardinals want a serious return of prospects, this is the chip to cash in.
But who takes over as closer if Helsley is dealt? Click here to see who we think takes over.
2. Erick Fedde – SP
Fedde’s value is down, but durability remains a selling point. The right-hander hasn’t missed a start in 2025, even though the results haven’t been pretty: 4.83 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and only 58 strikeouts in 98.2 innings.
After a solid 2024 comeback from the KBO (3.30 ERA in 31 starts), the wheels have come loose. Walks are up, hitters are barreling the ball more frequently, and Fedde simply isn’t fooling anyone. Still, on a $7.5 million expiring deal, a pitching-starved contender could take a flier as rotation insurance.
3. Steven Matz – RP
Don’t look now, but Steven Matz might be the most tradeable Cardinal on the roster. The former starter has settled into a strong relief role, and the results speak for themselves: 3.29 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and just 11 walks in 52 innings.
Matz is finishing out the final year of a four-year, $44 million deal, but his $12.5M salary becomes more palatable when you consider his flexibility — capable of handling multi-inning relief or stepping into a rotation spot if needed. With playoff teams always on the hunt for reliable lefties, Matz will draw interest.
And how many guys can say they struck out four batters in one inning?
Where Things Stand
The Cardinals now face seven games in a row against the Rockies and Padres, and Mozeliak called this stretch critical. If they don’t turn things around fast, expect the selling to begin — with Helsley, Fedde, and Matz at the front of the line.
It’s also a sign of a larger pivot underway, as incoming president Chaim Bloom gears up to reshape the franchise. This deadline isn’t just about recouping value — it’s about setting the tone for what comes next.
One thing’s clear: the Cardinals are no longer on the fence. The sweep in Arizona gave them the answer they didn’t want but can no longer ignore.
