Jordan Walker was once billed as the future of the St. Louis Cardinals — a can’t-miss first round pick with size, speed, and star potential. But as the MLB trade deadline nears, that future feels more uncertain than ever. With the Cardinals a whisker above mediocre and the front office in transition, Walker’s name has started to surface in trade speculation.
But according to The Athletic’s Katie Woo, fans shouldn’t expect anything to happen just yet.
“You will hear his name being floated around in possible trade propositions,” Woo said on the Cardinals Territory podcast. “But I would be very surprised if a trade of Jordan Walker happens this July.”
Timing and Trade Speculation
Why? Because the timing — and the front office structure — just doesn’t fit.
President of baseball operations John Mozeliak is expected to step away at the end of the season, and Chaim Bloom is slated to take on a leading role in reshaping the Cardinals. With Walker still just 23 years old, under team control for multiple years, and a former first-round pick, Woo makes a strong case that dealing him now would be premature at best — and shortsighted at worst.
“Unless Mozeliak and Bloom work together on this trade,” she added, “it doesn’t make a lot of sense for an outgoing president to trade a player with ample years of control.”
In short: it’s not impossible. But it’s unlikely.
A Long Way from His Rookie Year
Walker’s performance hasn’t helped quiet the chatter. Through 58 games in 2025, he’s slashing just .214 with three home runs — a far cry from his promising 2023 rookie season, where he batted .276 with 16 homers.
Last season wasn’t much better: .201 average, diminished power, and fewer standout moments. For a player with 6-foot-6 size and raw tools to match, Walker has yet to fully unlock his potential at the plate.
And this year, injuries haven’t helped.
The Cardinals Are Likely to Hold Jordan Walker – For Now
Still, the Cardinals have every reason to hold off on a trade, at least until the offseason. Walker isn’t arbitration-eligible yet, meaning there’s plenty of team control left. And with the front office transition looming, this doesn’t feel like the moment to pull the trigger on a major long-term decision.
There’s also the reality that Walker’s value, right now, might not be at its peak. It makes more sense to let him finish the season in St. Louis, keep working on his offensive mechanics, and reevaluate come winter — when Bloom has a full staff in place and a clear roadmap ahead.
Yes, Walker could use a fresh start. And yes, there’s probably a team out there that would gamble big on his upside. But the Cardinals aren’t in a rush, nor should they be.
So while Jordan Walker trade rumors may swirl between now and July 30, don’t expect to see a blockbuster. At least not yet.
