Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Shane Bieber. (David Richard-USA TODAY Sports)
FanSided’s MLB Insider Robert Murray is back to grade trade fits for the Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets.
With the MLB trade deadline rapidly approaching, it’s time to look at trade fits. And the early indications are that there could be a number of big name players on the move, and certainly mentioned in trade rumors in the coming weeks.
One of them is Cleveland Guardians star Shane Bieber. There are other names, such as Milwaukee Brewers stars Willy Adames and Corbin Burnes, who figure to be asked about at the deadline, but unlikely to be moved before July 31.
Let’s examine some trade fits for each player, as well as a potential New York Mets trade.
MLB Rumors: St. Louis Cardinals trade fit with Shane Bieber
Yes, the St. Louis Cardinals need pitching help. Yes, it’s entirely possible Shane Bieber is on the move before July 31.
But a trade that sends Bieber to St. Louis feels unlikely, primarily because of the Cardinals’ place in the National League Central standings. They are 25-35 and in last place in the division, trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by 7.5 games. They are 3-7 in their last 10 games and are coming off a series in which they were swept by the Pirates.
That does not sound like a team that should buy at the deadline, let alone send significant resources to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for Bieber. Perhaps this answer changes if the Cardinals turn things around in the next seven weeks. But they have shown no signs of doing so and thus that makes a trade unlikely.
Grading the fit: 3/10.