Cardinals Veteran Dustin May Emerges as Potential Trade Deadline Target if St. Louis Continues to Slide
The St. Louis Cardinals are entering a pivotal stretch of the season as their recent struggles have placed increasing pressure on the organization ahead of Major League Baseball’s trade deadline. After dropping three consecutive games, the Cardinals have seen their position in the National League playoff race become far less secure, with the club now clinging to the league’s final Wild Card spot.
If the team’s recent downturn continues, many around baseball believe the Cardinals could shift their strategy from attempting to strengthen the roster to becoming sellers before the trade deadline. One player drawing significant attention is veteran right-handed pitcher Dustin May, who is widely viewed as one of the organization’s most attractive trade assets.
MLB.com analyst Thomas Harrigan recently identified May as one of the top players who could be moved before the deadline, noting that the Cardinals’ direction over the coming weeks will likely determine his future with the club. Should St. Louis continue falling in the standings, league executives expect interest in the veteran starter to increase considerably.
May joined the Cardinals last offseason after signing a one-year contract worth $12.5 million, making him an obvious trade candidate from the moment the deal was finalized. Because he is playing on a short-term contract, many evaluators believed the Cardinals viewed him as a player who could help the team compete while also providing flexibility if the season failed to unfold as hoped.
That outlook appeared even more reasonable after St. Louis made several significant roster changes during the offseason. The organization moved on from established veterans, including Willson Contreras, Sonny Gray, Brendan Donovan, and Nolan Arenado, signaling a greater emphasis on long-term planning under president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom. While the Cardinals exceeded many preseason expectations by remaining competitive through much of the first half, their recent slump has once again raised questions about whether selling at the deadline may be the most practical course of action.
Despite a difficult outing in his most recent start, May has delivered several strong performances throughout the season. Before allowing six runs in his latest appearance, the right-hander had posted impressive numbers over a lengthy stretch, demonstrating why contending teams could view him as a valuable addition for the second half of the season. His ability to miss bats, limit hard contact, and provide quality innings has helped rebuild his value after previous injury setbacks.
Through 15 starts this season, May owns a 5-6 record with a 4.30 ERA. While those overall statistics may not fully reflect his strongest performances, many evaluators continue to believe his underlying production and recent consistency make him one of the more appealing starting pitchers who could become available.
His contract situation further strengthens the possibility of a trade. Although the agreement includes a mutual option for the 2027 season, those types of options are rarely exercised in Major League Baseball. As a result, May is widely expected to become a free agent after the season, giving the Cardinals another reason to consider maximizing his value now rather than risking his departure without receiving additional long-term assets.
If St. Louis ultimately decides to sell, moving May could provide an important opportunity to strengthen the organization’s farm system. Contending teams are always searching for experienced starting pitching at the trade deadline, and a healthy May would likely generate considerable interest across the league. For the Cardinals, acquiring promising prospects in exchange for the veteran right-hander could accelerate the club’s long-term rebuilding efforts while laying a stronger foundation for future success.
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