As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the St. Louis Cardinals find themselves in a familiar position: competitive enough to stay in the NL mix but not fully committed to an all-out push for October.
In such scenarios, smart front offices look for opportunities to improve the long-term outlook without sacrificing the present entirely. One name that stands out as a logical piece to move is right-handed pitcher Dustin May, and The Athletic has named him as the most likely Cardinals player to be dealt before Aug. 3.
May joined St. Louis on a one-year deal, and his 2026 campaign has been defined by inconsistency. Early struggles gave way to a stretch of dominant outings, including a memorable one-hit shutout against the San Diego Padres.
Yet recent starts have seen his ERA balloon above nine runs per game, highlighting the ups and downs that have marked much of his big-league tenure. Despite the volatility, evaluators across the league remain intrigued by his underlying metrics—strong peripherals that suggest the raw stuff still has ace-like upside when everything clicks.
For a Cardinals team that was never positioned as a true buyer at this deadline, dealing May represents a chance to extract meaningful value while he still carries appeal on the open market.
Contending clubs are always hunting for starting pitching help, and May’s flashes of brilliance make him an enticing target. He has proven in the past that even in off years he can fetch a solid return, and this summer should be no different.
A change of scenery could unlock more consistency for the pitcher, while giving St. Louis prospects or controllable talent in return to bolster their farm system or future rotation.
May’s story carries extra layers of interest because of his origins with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Once hailed as one of the organization’s top pitching prospects, he possessed a powerful arm with electric velocity and a promising repertoire that generated significant buzz in the minor leagues.
Injuries and development hurdles slowed his path, but the pedigree remains evident in his best performances. That background as a former blue-chip talent continues to fuel optimism among potential suitors who believe they can refine what the Dodgers helped develop initially.
Ultimately, moving May would not signal a full teardown for the Cardinals. Instead, it would reflect a pragmatic approach to roster management—capitalizing on a tradable asset at the right moment.
With demand for starters remaining high across baseball, St. Louis could turn May’s uneven season into an opportunity that strengthens the club for years ahead.
As the Aug. 3 deadline nears, expect teams to come calling, drawn by the potential that still simmers beneath the recent inconsistency.
