The Cardinals are heading into the final stretch before the trade deadline with more than one possible path in front of them, and Riley O'Brien may be the name that changes the conversation.
St. Louis already has Dustin May and Ryne Stanek on the market, both pitchers on expiring contracts.
But O'Brien is a different kind of piece. He has four years left on his deal, which makes him the kind of arm contenders usually don’t expect to see available this late in July.
That’s exactly why he stands out. The Cardinals don’t often move players with that much control at the deadline, but O'Brien is already 31, and relievers can turn from valuable to replaceable in a hurry.
If St. Louis decides to put him in play, it would give contenders another bullpen option beyond the usual rental chase.
And there’s real upside for the Cardinals if they do. A return for O'Brien could bring back a top 30 prospect or two, which would hurt the bullpen in the short term but help St.
Louis build for what comes next. Since the Cardinals are rebuilding rather than trying to contend in 2026, moving him would fit that direction.
For a team that lands him, O'Brien could be more than just another late-inning arm. He could strengthen the back end of a bullpen and potentially work as a setup man instead of a closer.
If he does hit the block, the market could get crowded fast. Contending teams would have reason to chase him, and that could spark a bidding war for St. Louis’ best offer.
There are still several ways the Cardinals can approach the deadline, but O'Brien is the kind of trade chip that could really shift the landscape. His value may never be higher than it is right now, which is why it’s a move St.
Louis has to at least weigh carefully. We’ll see where things stand on Monday.
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