Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Tigers are hosting the St. Louis Cardinals for a brief, two-game series this week.
If the St. Louis Cardinals want to get back in the NL Central race, they might need to orchestrate a trade or two with a non-contending team, someone like the Detroit Tigers.
St. Louis will enter play on Tuesday with a .500 record of 36-36. While that mark is not the end of the world, it has the Redbirds tied for third place in the NL Central race with the Cincinnati Reds. They are two games back of the co-leaders in the division in the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers, who are 40-32 entering play on Monday. St. Louis may need to make a trade here soon.
Here are two players the Cardinals may want to inquire about after their short series with the Tigers.
St. Louis Cardinals: 2 Detroit Tigers to trade for after playing this series
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Robbie Grossman
OF Detroit Tigers
Robbie Grossman provides the versatility the Cardinals need in the outfield
This is only journeyman Robbie Grossman’s first year with Detroit, but he could provide the Tigers with some trade value if he is indeed put on the block. In 69 games for the Tigers, Grossman is slashing .233/.343/.395 on the season with nine home runs and 34 runs batted in. Now that he is getting more regular playing time, he should be able to set career-highs in both key offensive statistics.
Besides a touch of power, what Grossman does provide is outfield defensive versatility, as well as some underrated foot speed on the base paths. Grossman has started games at all three outfield spots in his career before, but has yet to play a game in centerfield for the Tigers. He also has eight stolen bases in 10 attempts on the year for Detroit. He will not be hitting free agency until 2023.
Given the Cardinals’ ongoing issues when it comes to outfield depth, Grossman could at the very least be a welcome addition to the starting lineup until other players work their way back. With him hitting in the same lineup as Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt at the corner infield spots, we may see an even bigger boost when it comes to overall offensive production out of him.
Of course, the Cardinals are not going anywhere if they do not get better on the mound here fast.