The Detroit Tigers are looking to make noise this October after carrying the best record in Major League Baseball through June. They are 49-30, and have a comfortable eight-game lead in the American League Central.
MLB’s trade deadline is looking just over five weeks away, and Detroit will certainly be in the buyers’ market looking to go all-in and make a World Series push. Detroit lost in the ALDS a season ago, but welcomed back starter Jack Flaherty, has seen better offensive contributions from their role players, and still has a CY Young candidate in Tarik Skubal. However, it still feels like they are a piece or two away.
Could the Cardinals Be Sellers?
In this blockbuster trade idea, the St. Louis Cardinals would send the Detroit Tigers left-hander Steven Matz.
In a recent “trade candidates’ article, MLB.com’s Thomas Harrigan explained why the Cardinals may be sellers, and why Matz is the perfect trade chip at the moment:
“After an offseason marked by inactivity — months of Nolan Arenado trade talks yielded nothing, and Phil Maton was their lone free-agent addition — this was expected to be a transition year for the Cardinals. While St. Louis has managed to outperform its modest preseason forecast, it has done so in wildly uneven fashion, creating more questions than answers about where the team is headed.”
Matz is in the final year of a $44 million contract, and would be the perfect rental solution for the Tigers, who could use some more rotation depth after the Jackson Jobe Tommy John Surgery news.
“Given all of those factors, the Cardinalsâ most intriguing trade candidate is arguably Matz, who is in the final year of a four-year, $44 million deal. Initially signed to be a starter, Matz dealt with injuries and had a 4.47 ERA in 197 1/3 innings during the first three years of his deal. However, he has found new life as a multi-inning reliever in 2025, posting a 2.66 ERA with a 1.89 FIP, 38 strikeouts and four walks over 40 2/3 innings. That could make him a coveted option for clubs seeking bullpen help, though the Cardinals will likely have to eat some money to get back a notable return.”
Matz Could Return to Being a Starter
As Harrigan illustrated, Matz has been used mainly in a bullpen role this season, only recording two starts. He has found success this way, but as a former starter, the Detroit Tigers could either use him as a long relief guy or as an opener. Due to the rotation depth of the Tigers being so thin, Matz would be a great versatile option, and save Detroit from having to use much of their bullpen in just a single game.
Considering Matz is also likely a rental option, Detroit would not have to give up too much prospect capital to acquire him. If the Tigers want to stay at the top of the American League, keep an eye out for a couple of moves as the calendar turns to July, and the St. Louis Cardinals might be a great option to get a quality arm out of.
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