A crushing 6–0 loss to the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field capped off a demoralizing 1–5 road swing through Arizona and Denver, marking the Rockies’ first shutout in 220 games and adding urgency to the Cardinals’ looming decisions. This stumble has rekindled speculation that the team may shift into sell mode ahead of the July 31 deadline.
Initially, St. Louis appeared firmly on a reset path. They entered the season with heavy reliance on veteran assets, limited offseason activity, and optimism about youth development led by prospects like Jordan Walker, Victor Scott II, and Ivan Herrera. Internal commentary suggested 2025 was conceived less as a competitive push and more as a foundational year.
Pitchers with expiring contracts—Ryan Helsley, Steven Matz, Erick Fedde, and Miles Mikolas—represent their most tradable commodities. Helsley, the All-Star closer nearing free agency, is viewed as a sell-high target, while Fedde and Matz offer depth and flexibility. Acquiring teams value these arms highly, especially during the playoff push.
However, several central figures add complication. Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, and Matz all have full no-trade clauses that limit possible destinations or outright block deals. Arenado has already vetoed a previous trade and remains under a heavy contract through 2027, reducing the likelihood of movement without his agreement.
That said, the Cardinals’ trajectory in May and early June—highlighted by a nine-game win streak and a strong run that catapulted them near the top of the NL Central—has muddied the outlook . With a surge in momentum, president John Mozeliak has hinted that if the team is performing well, a decision to buy rather than sell becomes a legitimate option: “If we’re playing well, why wouldn’t you want to keep trying to play well?”
