The St. Louis Cardinals are looking for help in the starting rotation. The Houston Astros are looking to move one of their starting pitchers to improve their lineup. It would not be a surprise if the two sides discussed a deal.
According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, that is the case. The Cardinals have been looking at several options for the rotation, including Astros’ starter Jake Odorizzi.
St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Astros make sense as trade partners
This is not the first time that the Cardinals have been interested in Odorizzi. He was on their radar during the 2020-21 offseason before landing in Houston. It is also possible that he would be more than a rental as there is a player option for 2023.
While Odorizzi would not exactly be considered a major acquisition, he could make a difference on a Cardinals’ rotation in desperate need of another solid arm. His overall 4.25 ERA may not impress, but he has posted a 3.27 ERA and a 0.955 WHiP in his 44 innings over his last eight starts, striking out 33 batters with just eight walks.
It also remains to be seen as to what the Astros would want for Odorizzi. They need help in the outfield, at first, and catcher as the deadline approaches. St. Louis does have a solid crop of outfielders, making a deal a possibility.
It also makes more sense for the Astros to trade someone such as Odorizzi than a controllable arm as had been rumored recently. He may not bring back as much of a return, but retaining the likes of Jose Urquidy and Cristian Javier make more sense for the future of the organization.
The St. Louis Cardinals are reportedly interested in Houston Astros pitcher Jake Odorizzi. The two teams do line up well for a trade to happen.