The Brewers made a big trade Friday, sending the deluxe closer Devin Williams to the Yankees for starting pitcher Nestor Cortes and $4.5 million in cash. The Brewers were concerned about the rotation, so they traded a short-term reliever for a short-term starter. I say that because Williams and Cortes likely will become free agents after the 2025 season. The Brewers didn't care because (1) they are going for another division title in 2025, so the win-now approach was logical.
The Cardinals, however, are holding onto closer Ryan Helsley and starting pitcher Erick Fedde. Both can leave as free agents after 2025. Unlike the win-now Brewers, the Cardinals have set aside 2025 as a transition year. They're going with a younger roster. They're preparing for Chaim Bloom to take over at the top of the baseball ops department after the coming season. The Cards have also started a massive undertaking to get their outdated player-development and minor-league system up to speed. That is a vital and overdue step.
The Cardinals are using 2025 to build for the future. The Brewers are building for 2025. So why would the Cardinals hold onto tradeable assets that would get them a very healthy return on the trade market? Makes no sense.
The Cardinals still have time to do what's best for the future. And the Brewers helped the Cardinals out (indirectly) by trading Williams -- because the move only makes Helsley a more valuable commodity on the trade market. Do the cautious Cardinals have the nerve to trade Helsley and Fedde? Or will they chicken out again?
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