The St. Louis Cardinals have exceeded expectations this season. As we turn the page to July, they’re in the thick of the National League playoff race. If the Cardinals want to remain in the race, they need to bolster their pitching. They could bolster their pitching, especially in their bullpen, by reuniting with a former first-round pick.
Cardinals Should Trade For Luke Weaver
Weaver was drafted by the Cardinals in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft. After three seasons in St. Louis, Weaver was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of the package that brought Paul Goldschmidt to the “Gateway City.”
Weaver’s Bullpen Emergence
After struggling as a starter, Weaver found his groove out of the bullpen in 2023, which carried over into 2024. Filling in for an ineffective Clay Holmes, Weaver helped the New York Yankees reach the World Series that season. After recording all four save opportunities late in the season, Weaver saved four more games in the playoffs while posting a 1.76 ERA in 15.1 innings.
Since his heroics, Weaver has become a reliable bullpen arm. After posting a 3.62 ERA with the Yankees in 2025, Weaver signed a two-year contract with the New York Mets. Despite the Mets’ struggles, Weaver has been outstanding in the bullpen, posting a 2.06 ERA.
With the Mets appearing to be sellers at the trade deadline, one can assume Weaver is available.
Cardinals’ Bullpen Needs
At the time of writing this (Monday night), the Cardinals’ bullpen ranks 19th in MLB. They have suffered from ineffectiveness at times, especially Ryne Stanek, who has a 5.12 ERA. Matt Svanson, a previously reliable bullpen arm, is posting a 7.20 ERA. The bullpen has not been all bad, however. JoJo Romero and Riley O’Brien have been great at the backend of games. O’Brien, who ranks fifth in the league with 20 saves, has a solid case to be an All-Star.
The Cardinals need another bullpen arm who can help in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings. Weaver would be able to do that. Despite having earned saves, Weaver is actually more familiar in a set-up role, making him a perfect fit for the Cardinals’ bullpen. Adding Weaver would give the Cardinals a three-headed monster at the end of a game. If a starter can at least make it into the sixth inning with the lead, the Cardinals would have an excellent chance to win the game.
Weaver Fits DeWitt’s Trade Preference
Last week, the Cardinals announced leadership changes in their organization. Among the questions asked was the organization’s plan for the trade deadline. The plan had originally been for the team to sell, but given their success, the organization is more open to other options. However, Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. made it clear the team was not looking for rentals (players who are free agents at the end of the season).
“We’ll obviously engage at the deadline, but it will not be for a two-month hopeful. It will be a good reason to make the deal, regardless of where we happen to be.”
This is consistent with how the Cardinals have handled trades in the DeWitt era. When they traded for Jordan Montgomery in 2022, for example, they acquired someone who was also under contract for 2023. The Cardinals were not just buying for a few months, but for a whole season.
Weaver fits that preference. He is under contract for next season. If the Cardinals acquired him, they would have him for two postseason pushes. He would not just be a rental, thus making the price they pay for him worth it.
Weaver’s Contract Still Gives Flexibility at the Deadline
Acquiring Weaver does not mean the Cardinals cannot sell pieces at the deadline. Let’s say Romero, a reliable left-hander who is a free agent at the end of the season, is generating interest from World Series contenders. If a team offers a deal that Chaim Bloom simply cannot pass up, there is no harm in moving Romero, but still having Weaver. Since Weaver is under contract, the Cardinals do not have to go “all in” for 2026. He could simply be someone brought in to help the bullpen, but with the priority being on 2027.
Furthermore, if things do not go well for the Cardinals in 2027, Weaver is someone the Cardinals could flip at that season’s deadline. The Cardinals did so with the aforementioned Montgomery in 2023.
Asking Price?
It is hard to guess what Steve Cohen will ask for Weaver. There are some prospects in the minor leagues, such as Joshua Baez and Quinn Mathews, who are absolutely off limits in any trade. However, the Cardinals do have two catchers in their top-five prospects list. Given the Mets’ struggles with Francisco Alvarez, perhaps Bloom can offer a package that includes Leo Bernal.
If the price is right, the Cardinals should pull the trigger on Weaver. It makes sense in more ways than one.
Main Photo: Brad Penner- Imagn Images
