By Chris Brown / STL Baseball Today | @cbrown_STLBBT | July 28, 2017, 11:13 am CT
Updated at 4:40 pm CT with new information:
According to a recent report, the Cardinals front office is busy working on a number of fronts as the July 31 trade deadline quickly approaches.
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post Dispatch writes that the team is “actively looking” for a reliever to add to a bullpen which has posted a highly disappointing 10-20 record this season.
It’s not clear at this point any of the relievers the team may be considering.
The Cardinals also remain engaged in conversations to acquire the “bat they’ve been eyeing,” Goold reports, while at the same time continuing to generate and weigh the market on Lance Lynn, who’s scheduled to start Sunday, the day before the trade deadline.
The Toronto Blue Jays had two scouts present at AAA Memphis games this week, per Goold, who adds that the Cardinals have had interest in third baseman Josh Donaldson.
[Report: Nationals have scouted Tommy Pham and Trevor Rosenthal]
The Cardinals have also expressed interest in Marlins outfielders Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported in mid July. The Marlins sent a top baseball operations executive to scout a start of redbirds prospect Dakota Hudson, according to Feinsand.
As for Lynn, the Astros, Rockies, Royals and Yankees have reportedly been among the teams expressing interest in the 30-year-old starter. Goold writes that the Cardinals had at least one scout present at a recent Yankees minor league game.
Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported Thursday morning that the Cardinals’ decision on trading Lynn “will be based entirely on whether (the) team gets (the) right offer,” and will not be affected by Adam Wainwright’s recent injury or the club’s recent performance.
ESPN’s Buster Olney tweeted Friday afternoon that other teams are waiting for a clear indication from the Cardinals on whether they intend to trade Lynn, who Olney called “among (the) most coveted [starters] in (the) market.”
Additionally, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported Friday afternoon that the Cardinals and Royals have discussed Lynn in trade talks. Morosi notes it’s currently unclear whether or not there is any momentum toward a deal.
The Cardinals are 4.5 games back in the NL Central division headed into play on Friday.
