It came as a surprise to many across the baseball world when superstar third baseman Nolan Arenado began the 2025 season still wearing a St. Louis Cardinals uniform. After back-to-back disappointing seasons, most expected the team to tear things down and begin a rebuild. But what once seemed like an inevitable reset has been replaced by a resurgence, as the Cardinals have positioned themselves as legitimate contenders in the NL Central.
As of Monday, St. Louis sits just two games behind the division-leading Chicago Cubs, boasting a 30-23 record — good enough to currently occupy a National League Wild Card spot. With their strong play, the Cardinals appear increasingly likely to stay in the playoff race deep into the season, which has significantly altered their trade deadline approach.
Rather than being sellers, the Cardinals are now expected to explore ways to bolster their roster for a postseason push. While Arenado is no longer on the trade block, a former top prospect could be moved as part of those efforts.
Jordan Walker is perfect trade bait for the Cardinals
Despite the Cardinals’ strong performance this season, outfielder Jordan Walker continues to fall short of expectations. Once viewed as a breakout candidate and a cornerstone for the franchise, the former No. 4 overall prospect is once again struggling to produce at the plate.
Walker is currently batting just .212 with three home runs and 20 RBIs — numbers that mirror his disappointing 2024 campaign. While his lack of production over the past two seasons is concerning, the team isn’t basing its evaluation solely on this year’s 44-game sample. Still, the patience may be wearing thin.
At just 22 years old, Walker still carries notable upside and could hold trade value as the Cardinals shift their focus toward a playoff push. With the trade deadline approaching, he may be part of discussions as St. Louis explores roster upgrades. While it’s too early to pinpoint exactly what needs the Cardinals will target, Walker is a logical candidate to be involved in trade talks.
Scouts remain intrigued by Walker’s raw potential — especially given his towering 6-foot-6, 250-pound build and untapped power. However, his recent struggles mean he likely won’t command top-tier prospects or star players in return. Still, a team betting on his potential could offer a useful piece to help the Cardinals down the stretch.
The front office now faces a key decision: is it worth giving up on Walker’s potential for immediate help, or will doing so come back to haunt them down the road?
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