The St. Louis Cardinals find themselves in a tough position as they push toward postseason contention: their starting rotation, specifically Miles Mikolas, has become a liability. Once considered a stabilizing force, Mikolas has struggled significantly, allowing 24 earned runs over his last 26 innings. With the Cardinals sitting above .500 and still within reach of a playoff spot, continuing to roll Mikolas out every five days is becoming increasingly unsustainable.
FanSided’s Christopher Kline didn’t mince words in his recent assessment, calling on the Cardinals to pursue a trade to replace Mikolas before the July 31 deadline. Kline emphasized the team’s commitment to contention with a veteran, high-cost roster and argued that they must follow through by aggressively upgrading. “At worst,” he wrote, “the Cards have the feel of a Wild Card team. But that will require an upgrade (or several).” The front office, led by John Mozeliak, must now weigh whether to part with prospect capital to reinforce the rotation—or risk watching a promising season unravel.
Fortunately for St. Louis, there’s no shortage of starting pitchers expected to be available on the trade market. If the Cardinals prefer a low-cost, low-risk addition, names like Tyler Anderson (Angels) or Walker Buehler (Dodgers, depending on LA’s plans) could be within reach. These options would allow the team to improve without gutting a farm system that, as Kline notes, already ranks in the lower half of the league.
On the other hand, if the Cardinals are serious about a deep playoff run and willing to trade more valuable assets, they could swing big. Targets like Sandy Alcántara (Marlins), Jesús Luzardo, or even a rental ace like Jack Flaherty or Erick Fedde could transform the staff. A bold move would send a message that St. Louis is all-in—not just for a Wild Card berth, but for a legitimate shot at October success.
No matter how aggressive they choose to be, one thing is clear: Miles Mikolas can’t be part of the Cardinals’ postseason rotation. Whether it’s a modest fix or a blockbuster move, the front office must act fast if they want to keep this team on the path to October.
