Recently, trade speculation surrounding the St. Louis Cardinals gained momentum after insiders Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel identified the club as a potential landing spot for two talented Los Angeles Angels starters, Reid Detmers and Jose Soriano. With the Cardinals continuing to search for long-term answers in their rotation, both pitchers could represent attractive options as the trade deadline approaches.
Detmers, a 26-year-old left-hander and former first-round draft pick, has finally begun to deliver on the promise that made him one of baseball’s most highly regarded pitching prospects. His journey to becoming a dependable major league starter has been far from smooth, but the 2026 season appears to be his breakthrough campaign.
Through his first 15 starts of the year, Detmers has posted a respectable 3.68 ERA. While those numbers are solid on their own, his recent performances have elevated him into another category. Over his last five outings, he has thrown 33 innings and surrendered only five earned runs. One of those starts accounted for three of those runs, meaning he has been nearly unhittable for much of the stretch. His latest appearance was especially impressive, as he blanked the Arizona Diamondbacks across seven innings while allowing just three hits in a winning effort.
Detmers’ development path bears similarities to that of Cardinals starter Matthew Liberatore. Both pitchers entered professional baseball with significant expectations and required several seasons before finding consistency at the major league level. Because of that experience, St. Louis could believe it has the coaching and development structure necessary to help Detmers continue reaching new heights.
Soriano presents a different but equally appealing profile. The 27-year-old right-hander is under team control through 2029, making him one of the more valuable pitchers who could potentially become available. Despite pitching for an Angels team that has struggled throughout the season, Soriano owns an impressive 8-4 record and a 2.79 ERA through his first 15 starts.
Although his production has dipped recently, with four consecutive outings falling short of quality-start standards, his overall body of work remains outstanding. An ERA below 3.00 is difficult to ignore, and teams across the league would undoubtedly show interest if Los Angeles decides to listen to offers.
For the Cardinals, acquiring either pitcher would address a need that has existed for several seasons. The organization has repeatedly emphasized the importance of strengthening its starting rotation, especially after restructuring its front office and committing to a long-term vision for sustained success.
Currently, Dustin May has been the club’s most effective starter, highlighted by a recent complete-game, one-hit shutout against San Diego. However, May is on a one-year contract, leaving uncertainty about the future of the rotation. Adding Detmers and Soriano would provide multiple years of cost-controlled pitching and give St. Louis a foundation to build around.
Such acquisitions could also create roster flexibility. Kyle Leahy could transition back into a bullpen role, while the Cardinals might explore a six-man rotation or potentially move May for prospects and additional assets.
The biggest question would be the trade package. Fortunately for St. Louis, the organization possesses considerable depth, particularly behind the plate. The Angels could be interested in catching help to support Logan O’Hoppe, whose recent seasons have been inconsistent.
While top prospects such as Raniel Rodriguez, Joshua Baez, and Liam Doyle would likely be off limits, the Cardinals still have several appealing trade chips. Players like Leo Bernal, Jimmy Crooks, Jurrangelo Cijntje, and Chase Davis could become key pieces in negotiations.
With the Cardinals holding valuable prospect depth and the Angels facing another disappointing season, the framework for a significant trade may already be in place. If St. Louis decides to pursue either Detmers or Soriano aggressively, the move could reshape the franchise’s pitching outlook for years to come.
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