Cardinals at Crossroads Before Deadline | St. Louis Cardinals News

The Cardinals’ playoff dreams are hanging by a thread as they slide into a brutal second half, sparking trade deadline panic. Chaim Bloom’s front office is weighing tough calls: should they cash in on fading ace Dustin May, whose ERA has ballooned since mid-June, or let him walk? Meanwhile, reliever Ryne Stanek has been a clutch force since May — his high-leverage dominance makes him a tradeable asset with a club option looming. Outfielder Nathan Church’s disappointing stats raise questions about his role, especially with top prospect Joshua Baez looming in center field. And fan favorite Lars Nootbaar? He’s on the block too — trading him now could unlock future assets as the Cardinals pivot toward rebuilding. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/3c0eb198172aed32