A move the Cardinals could make to respond to the Brewers’ Devin Williams trade

The Milwaukee Brewers appear to be in a better position today than before.

Milwaukee pulled off a blockbuster trade, sending All-Star closer Devin Williams to the New York Yankees for fellow All-Star Nestor Cortes and infielder Caleb Durbin. There are players available in free agency who could help fill the closer role now, but the Brewers added a much-needed starter and an intriguing infielder.

The Brewers have won 93 games in 2024 and appear to be at least in a similar position. Milwaukee lost Willy Adames but was able to replace his production at a fraction of the cost.

How will the St. Louis Cardinals respond?

St. Louis finished tied for second place in the National League Central standings in 2024 with 83 wins. There was a time when it seemed like there was a chance for the Cardinals to rebuild the roster, but that no longer appears to be the case, aside from perhaps a Nolan Arenado transfer.

If the Cardinals enter the 2024 season with a roster very similar to the 2023 team, they should consider adding more pitching. While the club may not want to make a huge deal, it could make sense to reunite with rising star Jack Flaherty.

He excelled in 2024 with the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers, posting a 3.17 ERA in 28 starts. He is expected to receive a three-year, $63 million contract from Spotrac this offseason. That’s not too much to ask for a hurler who could be St. Louis’ No. 2 starter behind Sonny Gray.

The Cardinals have already cut payroll by declining the club options of Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson. Trading Arenado would lower the payroll even further. Some of that money should go toward signing Flaherty if the Cardinals want to have a chance to compete with Milwaukee.

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