Rays Series Looms Large

With the start of today’s 2-game set against the Tampa Bay Rays, the St. Louis Cardinals begin one of the most important series of the season. Sure, two games on their own don’t seem to important, but with a series win the Cardinals may open a lead in the National League Central and might open the Rays up to finally trading much-discussed ace David Price.

Price has been named in trade rumors involving the Cardinals, as well as the Dodgers recently, but St. Louis won’t be willing to give up their future pieces unless Price agrees to a contract extension. Price won’t be pitching in this series, but the Cardinals may be able to audition a few of their young prospects for the Rays against Jake Odorizzi and Alex Cobb. Oscar Taveras has struggled since being recalled, batting under the Mendoza line and sporting a wins-above-replacement of -0.7.

Kolten Wong may also be showcased in the midweek series. Wong has been on a recent power tear with five homeruns in the last month and a .317 BA. Wong seems like a safe bet to stay with the Cardinals, but ESPN’s Buster Olney recently brought to the forefront of a blockbuster trade for both Price and Evan Longoria.

Longoria is having a down season by his standards, but still has 11 homeruns and 48 RBI’s despite his .262 BA. Longoria is a bargain when it comes to salary. Signed through 2022, Longoria is set to make an average of $13.5 million per season. He’s battled injuries throughout his career and the ten year term of his deal seems a bit risky, but Longoria is a proven star with the high upside the Cardinals have been missing at third base.

Although the blockbuster trade is highly unlikely, it would allow the Cardinals to move Matt Carpenter back to second base, where his statistics seem more impressive. Carpenter still gives the Cardinals flexibility if Longoria were to go down and Johnny Peralta also has the ability to play third base.

With the trade deadline just nine days, the Cardinals are expected to make some move, even if the blockbuster with the Rays is a stretch. Either way, the Cardinals seem to be trending up and the possibility of them getting young star Michael Wacha back by the end of the season seems possible with positive news of his shoulder injury yesterday.