The St. Louis Cardinals were busy this year at the trade deadline, as they traded away several assets that were on expiring contracts.
They picked up a few minor league pitching prospects in return to help bolster their farm system for the 2024 season.
Players such as Jordan Montgomery, Jack Flaherty, Chris Stratton, and Paul DeJong were traded away as the Cardinals hit the buzzer on the 2023 season and turned their focus to the future.
On Thursday, ESPN baseball writer Kiley McDaniel stopped by “The Opening Drive,” a local St. Louis sports radio show, to discuss the Cardinals’ deadline acquisitions and how they can help the team going forward.
Did the Cardinals improve their position for 2024 at the deadline?
ESPN's @kileymcd joined #TheOpeningDrive to break down #STLCards trade haul, which pitchers will hit the majors first & how this group can help the team now.
Full Interview: https://t.co/Xq0n9hNKNj pic.twitter.com/N80do48mMK
— 101 ESPN St. Louis (@101espn) August 4, 2023
McDaniel commented on players such as Thomas Saggese, Tekoah Roby, and Sem Robberse as potential pieces that could help the Cardinals in the future.
McDaniel sees all three players as potential contributors in 2024.
He believes that if somebody like Roby were thrown into the draft, he would be drafted early.
Drew Rom was another player that McDaniel was high on.
St. Louis acquired the young left-hander in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles, the same deal that sent Flaherty to the AL East leaders.
McDaniel mentioned Rom’s delivery and how it can be deceptive for hitters, and he also predicted that Rom is the most likely piece of the puzzle to reach the Major Leagues first.
In McDaniel’s mind, the most important question the Cardinals have to answer about some of these young players is what they will ultimately turn out to be.
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