3 potential St. Louis Cardinals trade chips that could interest the Padres

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Much like the San Diego Padres, the St. Louis Cardinals entered the 2023 season with enormous expectations, only to have sputtered out of the gate in unforeseen fashion.

In theory, the Cardinals have time to turn around their season, and have the benefit of playing in a weak division, which the Padres don't. But San Diego has gone too 'all-in' this season to punt 2023 away.

If St. Louis is unable to right the ship this summer, here are three players that could help the Padres via trade.

3 potential Cardinals trade chips that could interest the San Diego Padres this summer

1. Tyler O'Neill

O'Neill was infamously in the doghouse with Cardinals' skipper Oli Marmol earlier this season amidst the team's early struggles. The veteran outfielder has had a poor season, to say the least, with just two home runs, a .620 OPS and a 72 OPS+ in 92 at-bats to date.

The veteran outfielder is currently on the shelf with back problems, which is also not a positive development. But the Cardinals are open to moving him, and he has talent. That would make him a great fit for the Padres, who could use an outfield upgrade just like O'Neill could benefit from a change of scenery.

O'Neill hit 34 home runs in a season as recently as 2021, so it's not as if he's never had success before. Playing in a stacked San Diego lineup could take pressure off him as well. And perhaps most importantly, A.J. Preller would be able to buy low on O'Neill given his struggles.

May 13, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Giovanny Gallegos (65) / Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

2. Giovanny Gallegos

We can't see the Cardinals moving on from closer Ryan Helsley so quickly, but setup man Giovanny Gallegos would still be a fine get for the Padres if he's made available.

As is well-documented, San Diego has had issues getting the ball to its own closer Josh Hader this season in the absence of setup man Robert Suarez. Acquiring a proven commodity like Gallegos would help in this regard, bridging the gap to Hader.

The 31-year-old reliever is having a solid 2023 so far, with a 2.20 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP to pair with a 0.5 bWAR, which we only mention because the Padres' bullpen as a whole has a negative bWAR in 2023 (-0.7).

Gallegos would come with an extra year of club control plus an option year for 2025, so his price tag will be steeper than say, an Aroldis Chapman, who would just be a rental. But there's value in having an effective setup man for the long haul, so if made available, Gallegos would be worth an inquiry.

May 15, 2023; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jack Flaherty (22) / Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jack Flaherty

The Padres' starting rotation hasn't been as good as many expected this season, so it wouldn't hurt to bring in another contingency option, like Jack Flaherty.

Flaherty is rumored to be a trade chip this summer should the Cardinals continue struggling, and much like his teammate Tyler O'Neill, might benefit immensely from a change of scenery.

A free agent after the season, Flaherty has an unsightly 5.24 ERA in nine starts so far. That is well below his career 3.55 ERA that has made him the Cardinals' ace in recent years. Perhaps he can rekindle that form in San Diego.

It should be noted that Flaherty hails from Burbank, Calif., just outside of Los Angeles. A return to his home state could motivate and re-energize the veteran starter. And that potential motivation should be put to good use helping the Padres ramp up for a second consecutive playoff run.

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3 potential St. Louis Cardinals trade chips that could interest the Padres this summer

3 potential Cardinals trade chips that could interest the San Diego Padres this summer

1. Tyler O'Neill

2. Giovanny Gallegos

3. Jack Flaherty

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