Most of the attention around today’s deadline revolved around whether or not St. Louis was going to sell for the second time in three years. And after a very rough showing in July, it is perhaps fitting that the rental pieces out of the bullpen are the first to go. That is not to say the Cardinals gave away a pair of hurlers, however, since the package of players received speaks volumes.
There will be much more on the trio headed together to Peoria in the coming weeks once the schedules are updated. The return for closer Ryan Helsley included a very young infielder positioned to stick on the left side with a pair of RHP both slotted into the new regime’s power frenzy. Jesus Baez won’t turn 21 until next Spring Training and has the arm and power combo needed to handle 3B.
Both hurlers were just selected in last year’s Draft and profile as the same type picked early and often a couple of weeks ago. Nate Dohm has the higher college pedigree but Frank Elissalt wasn’t just a throw in either. They could slide right into the Peoria rotation or even help Springfield next month down the stretch towards the playoffs.
A couple of things to consider before diving into the next deal that was completed overnight. The roster as currently constructed under the Arch is about to get very messy in a few short months. Chaim Bloom could not have predicted the rash of injuries to the 40-man roster which will handcuff possible Rule 5 as well as trade moves during the offseason. Tekoah Roby joins Sem Robberse with Tommy John surgery knocking out most if not all of next summer plus former first round pick Cooper Hjerpe who needs added as well.
Unless roster math can be more creative than they taught us in school, St. Louis can’t afford to carry three pitchers in 2026 that will never be used. The rest of the offseason will be spent figuring out just how many catchers can be rostered or used at one time because the Cards have more than enough. Even if Ivan regularly patrols LF, the Birds on the Bat have a pair of backstops that need 40-man slots as well as fast-rising OF Joshua Baez, which brings us full circle to other completed trade.
It is truly crazy to believe that the shortened five-round Draft in 2020 is back in the spotlight today. Had the high school players taken that year gone to college, they would be graduates or at worst very highly paid athletes about to begin their pro careers. And for one player in particular, the spotlight has been on him since baseballs were flying out of parks as a pre-teen.
Blaze Jordan took the route of Eli Willits and reclassified as a 17-year-old but was on the map well before going to the Red Sox with the 89th pick (and just before the Cardinals had a shot at #93). If that draft sounds memorable, here are the players projected to have a roster spot in 2027 for St. Louis. The before mentioned Roby and Thomas Saggese were selected by Texas, the trio of Jordan Walker, Masyn Winn and Tink Hence all grew up together in the system and of course, can’t leave out Alec Burleson who was picked as a two-way player.
Well, it’s time to throw one more into the mix! Jordan gets a fresh start without the expectations of Boston and as a bonus gets to go home to Memphis! The Southaven, Mississippi native took a step back in 2024 while in Double-A but only fueled his turnaround this season. Steven Matz may end up helping the Red Sox make the playoffs and wish him well, but Blaze as the return seems like a steal. Yes, he was possibly blocked in Boston and does need a 40-man spot but for a rental, the Bloom connection has paid off once again.
Jordan profiles as a corner infielder but more than likely the right-handed bat is a 1B/DH power option for the Cardinals. It will be interesting to see where he plays for the Redbirds and if a call-up in September starts his journey! Stay tuned for more updates with the countdown hitting two hours before the new-look St. Louis roster takes shape.
