In a flurry of trade deadline activity in 2024, the St. Louis Cardinals made significant moves to strengthen their team. They acquired Erick Fedde and Tommy Pham in a three-way trade involving the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. Additionally, they added Tampa Bay Rays reliever Shawn Armstrong to bolster their bullpen.
However, in order to acquire Armstrong, the Cardinals had to part ways with former top prospect Dylan Carlson. Cardinals President of Baseball Operations, John Mozeliak, discussed Carlson’s departure, attributing it to a need for a change of scenery following injuries and struggles that hindered his development.
Despite early promise shown in 2020 and 2021, Carlson found himself overshadowed by emerging talents like Michael Siani and Alec Burleson, as well as the arrival of Pham. As a result, Carlson became the team’s fifth outfielder, prompting the Cardinals to address their pitching staff by finding a new home for him.
With Carlson now with the Tampa Bay Rays, Cardinals fans are eager to see how the team will fare with their revamped roster. Mozeliak’s comparison of Carlson to the likes of “Albert Pujols or Oscar Taveras” may not have come to fruition, but the Cardinals are optimistic about the future with their recent acquisitions.
For more MLB updates and insights, stay tuned as the Cardinals continue to make waves in the league.