The Cardinals’ decision to move Dustin May at the trade deadline is starting to look like a sharper and sharper piece of business.
St. Louis sold at the deadline and sent May and left-hander JoJo Romero to the Brewers in a deal that brought back two prospects, Alexander Frias and Josiah Ragsdale.
At the time, it was framed as part of a bigger push to restock the system. Now, with May scuffling in Milwaukee, the return looks even stronger.
May has allowed 10 runs in 15 innings since landing with the Brewers, a stretch that has left him with a 6.00 ERA in his new uniform. Romero still has not returned from his appendectomy, which effectively ended his run in St. Louis.
The Cardinals, meanwhile, came away with two bats who fit the direction of the organization. Frias is ranked No. 4 on the Cardinals’ top 30 prospects list, while Ragsdale sits at No.
- Both hit left-handed and both play the outfield, giving St.
Louis more options to help the offense down the line.
Frias has put together a strong minor league season, hitting .323/.409/.518 with a .927 OPS, nine home runs and 68 RBI. Ragsdale has been just as productive, batting .301/.421/.552 with a .973 OPS, 21 home runs and 56 RBI.
That kind of return is exactly why the move stands out. May and Romero probably won’t be part of Milwaukee’s picture in 2027, but Frias and Ragsdale should be in the Cardinals’ system for years.
For a club that has not had a top farm system in more than a decade, the trade only adds to the sense that the future in St. Louis is getting brighter.
Chaim Bloom was brought in to strengthen the pipeline, and this deal is another sign that he’s doing exactly that.
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