The St. Louis Cardinals are gearing up for a big offseason, no question. After their unexpected rise in 2026, the word out there is they’re looking to buy, not sell, trying to build on what they’ve got this winter. But if MLB insider Robert Murray from Fansided.com is right, and the Cardinals are sniffing around a trade for Yankees infielder Anthony Volpe, then St. Louis fans should be hitting the panic button right now, because this move would be a straight-up mistake.
Cardinals Need Help, But Volpe Isn’t the Answer
Look, the Cardinals absolutely could use some more infield help. Beyond J.J. Wetherholt at second base and Alec Burleson at first, there’s a lot of uncertainty at shortstop and third base moving forward. Masyn Winn, their 24-year-old shortstop, is a fun young player, but let’s be real, his offensive production leaves a lot to be desired with a .632 OPS this season. And Nolan Gorman hasn’t exactly been tearing it up at the plate either, despite showing some flashes in previous years. So, an infield addition makes sense. But adding someone like Anthony Volpe? That just won’t cut it.
Murray himself even highlighted the potential for other teams to “sniff around” Volpe this offseason. Chaim Bloom, the Cardinals’ guy, has plenty of experience dealing with the Yankees from his Red Sox and Rays days. But familiarity doesn’t equal a good deal here. Volpe, who is 25 and under club control through 2028, has been a “solid” player for the Yankees. But that’s the key word: *solid*. The source says he’s *only* been solid, and there isn’t much upside, especially after the last two seasons. Last year, he put up a 1.6 bWAR across 153 games with a .663 OPS. This season, in 66 games, his 1.3 bWAR is better, but that .671 OPS still leaves plenty to be desired. He is not an above-average hitter, and his defense doesn’t inspire much confidence. So, how is this the answer for a team trying to improve?
Why This Trade Would Be a Costly Blunder
Let’s be blunt: trading for Anthony Volpe from the Yankees would be a massive blunder for the Cardinals. He provides little value to the team, either offensively or defensively. Plus, when you look at their roster, they don’t even need a spot where he could be a starter, especially when sticking with Masyn Winn at shortstop simply makes more sense for their future. Considering how much it would likely take to acquire Volpe, who is a “polarizing” figure, the cost versus the actual return just doesn’t add up. Taking a chance on Volpe isn’t a bad idea on paper for some teams, maybe. But for *this* Cardinals team, trying to capitalize on their unexpected 2026 rise, it would be a huge mistake. There’s just no reason to trade for him.
The Cardinals have a big offseason ahead, planning to buy and build on their success. Fans have to hope Bloom makes the right moves, not costly errors like this potential trade. Let’s see what kind of impact he truly wants to make on the roster heading into next year.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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