St. Louis could break trends with pitcher trades

With the trading deadline approaching and the St. Louis Cardinals likely to make some moves, taking a step back would be something that could break a trend.

That St. Louis Cardinals They are expected to take some steps to pitch as the trading deadline approaches. A move that would buck a trend dating back to 1997 could break.

The cardinals have expressed interest Cincinnati Red Righty Tyler Mahle. But as reported by MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, no trades are taking place between division rivals.

After 19 games, Mahle is 5-7 with a 4.40 ERA. He has thrown 104.1 innings, 39 walks and 114 batters. He’s a pitcher with a 36.5 percent ground ball rate, and many of his opponents draw at 40.7 percent.

An attempt to get that pitcher would be better for the Cardinals than the latest trade between division rivals. On November 10, 1997, the Cardinals and Reds struck a deal that sent Jeff Brantley to St. Louis in exchange for Dmitri Young. It was toward the end of his career that Brantley spent a season with the Cardinals, playing 48 games with an 0-5 record and 14 saves. Young was drafted by the Cardinals, where he spent two seasons, but spent four seasons with the Reds before playing for the Detroit Tigers and Washington Nationals.

Most teams are reluctant to trade with their division rivals. There are many notable moves, but recalling an earlier deal that saw the Cardinals send pitcher Ernie Broglio to the Chicago Cubs for future Hall of Famer Lou Brock in June 1964 would make many reluctant to trade with a division rival .

Mahle would be an interesting acquisition for the Cardinals, who are in desperate need of pitching. Cardinals fans just have to hope such a trade wouldn’t cost MLB-eligible players or prospects too much, making facing the Reds a real fear in the future.