Just days left before the deadline, and St. Louis faces a choice they can’t dodge. They can chase a couple extra wins this year, or they actually start building for what comes next. The smart money says sell high on the vets and hand the keys to arms that’ve already proven they belong. Viva El Birdos is right about this: the squad needs to prioritize long-term development over squeezing 78 wins out of a 76-win roster. It’s not about hope. It’s about the stats staring us in the face.
The Case for Kyle Leahy
Kyle Leahy put in the work, and the numbers don’t lie. After a rough April, he’s posted a 2.65 ERA since the start of May. That’s not a fluke. His FIP over that stretch sits at an excellent 3.37, while his xFIP holds steady at 3.91. For the past three months, he’s looked less like a back-end arm and more like a mid-rotation staple. Per Viva El Birdos, Leahy has thrown 107.1 innings so far, proving he can handle the heavy lifting. If the Cardinals trade Dustin May, they need someone to fill that void immediately. Leahy’s the obvious answer. He’s already shown he belongs in the big league rotation.
He’s not just a temporary fix.
Clearing the Roster for Growth
The roster crunch is real, but St. Louis has options to make room without panicking. The 40-man roster is currently full, with two players sitting on the 60-day IL. That leaves the Cardinals with 42 players total, including four pending free agents, for a combined count of 38. Viva El Birdos notes that eight players are guaranteed additions or deserve serious thought before the Rule 5 Draft hits. Names like Quinn Mathews, Cade Winquest, and Jesus Baez are on that list. If the front office wants to shield every single one of them, they’ve got plenty of marginal back-end players available to move. Tink Hence, Max Rajcic, and Peter Strzelecki stand out as the clearest candidates facing potential spot losses. The team shouldn’t be afraid to cut ties with veterans to make space for the future.
The Best Path Forward
Here’s the ideal scenario: the Cardinals pull a 2024 Tigers move. They could trade at the deadline and still mount a playoff push. Even if the squad fades from contention, the thrilling narratives that emerge will be worth watching. The organization needs to stop fixating on athletes who might move the team from 76 to 78 wins this year. Instead, they should look at players like Cooper Hjerpe, who appears more likely to debut as a reliever given a cameo. The rotation down the stretch looks simple once the trades happen. McGreevy and Pallante are both fully developed as starters and will require 50+ innings each. While the rest of the rotation involves more nuance, Leahy ought to receive consistent starting assignments. Fans deserve to see who the real future is, not just a band-aid for this season. Do you think the Cardinals should trade Dustin May to make room for Leahy? The decision lands on July 30.
Key Takeaways
- Kyle Leahy has posted a 2.65 ERA since May with a 3.37 FIP.
- The Cardinals have 42 players on the roster, including 4 pending free agents.
- Tink Hence, Max Rajcic, and Peter Strzelecki are candidates to clear space.
- Cooper Hjerpe is a likely reliever candidate for a cameo role.
- McGreevy and Pallante are set to eat 50+ innings each down the stretch.
FAQ
Why is Kyle Leahy a better option than Dustin May?
Leahy has posted a 2.65 ERA since May and handled 107.1 innings, proving he can be a mid-rotation starter rather than a back-end arm.
Which players are at risk of being removed from the 40-man roster?
Tink Hence, Max Rajcic, and Peter Strzelecki are the clearest candidates for removal to make room for prospects like Quinn Mathews and Cade Winquest.
What is the main argument against chasing 78 wins?
Focusing on squeezing two extra wins out of the season prevents the team from developing long-term options and evaluating the true future rotation.
