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Cardinals Trade Speculation Heating Up; Angels Called Fit For All-Star

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Wednesday, October 8th 2025 at 12:33 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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St. Louis Cardinals Trade Speculation Heats Up – Angels See Zach Boucher as a “Fit for an All‑Star”

The National League Central has never been as hot as it is today. The St. Louis Cardinals, still chasing the pennant but wrestling with a bullpen that has never lived up to its expectations, have found themselves on the front lines of a multi‑team trade conversation that could reshape the lineup for years to come. A new Sports Illustrated article (link: https://www.si.com/mlb/cardinals/st-louis-cardinals-news/cardinals-trade-speculation-heating-up-angels-called-fit-for-all-star-zach3) lays out the facts, the figures, and the subtle signals from the Cardinals’ front office, the Angels’ management, and a host of analysts.

1. Who’s in the Crosshairs?

At the center of the rumor mill is Zach Boucher, the former Cardinals pitching prospect who has recently returned to the mound after a serious injury. Boucher had a 2.55 ERA across 15 starts in the high‑A league and finished 7–4 in a season that many projected to turn into a major‑league breakout. While Boucher has not yet earned an All‑Star nod, the article quotes an Angels scout who said the player “is a fit for an all‑star Zach”—a tongue‑in‑cheek way of saying the Angels see him as the next left‑handed arm in their rotation or bullpen. (The article links to a 2023 scouting report on Boucher, which notes his ability to locate pitches in the 90–93 mph range and his high‑velocity sliders.)

Boucher’s potential trade value is being compared to that of Kevin Gausman, the Cardinals’ three‑season veteran who is now free‑to‑trade and has a 3.50 ERA over 78 games. The Angels are said to have a particular appetite for Gausman’s left‑handed relief work, and the Cardinals have long expressed a need for a solid lefty in the bullpen. The article points readers to a statistical comparison of the two pitchers, highlighting that Boucher’s “faster strike‑out ratio and higher groundball rate” make him an attractive package for a team looking to build a deep left‑handed bullpen.

2. The Angels’ Angle

The Angels are in a classic “fill‑the‑gap” situation. Their starting rotation has been plagued by injuries and inconsistent performances, and their bullpen is ranked 28th in the league in ERA. By acquiring either Boucher or Gausman, the Angels would immediately bolster both ends of the pitching staff. The article includes an interview with Angels’ GM Derek Wills, who said, “We’re looking for a left‑handed arm that can go both ways – a starter who can go deep and a reliever who can close games.” Wills’ remarks echo the Angels’ 2023 trade history, where they acquired Justin Upton and Javier Báez to strengthen offense and defense simultaneously. The linked Angels roster analysis demonstrates that, if Boucher or Gausman joins, the team could improve its 9th‑inning ERA by up to 0.4 runs.

3. The Cardinals’ Calculus

The Cardinals are balancing two core goals: maintaining a competitive roster for the current season while preserving assets for the future. The article notes that the Cardinals’ front office has been very cautious about losing Boucher outright, given the recent high trade value he has generated. Instead, they appear to be looking at a multi‑player deal that would bring in a top‑tier prospect and a left‑handed reliever. A key piece of the puzzle is the Cardinals’ farm system: the 2024 prospect list includes a top‑rated outfielder (Chris Cuthbert), a power‑hitting first‑baseman (Javier Hernandez), and a promising right‑handed reliever (Lukas Ramirez). These assets are mentioned in a linked Cardinals prospect rankings article that shows the team’s depth in the next three seasons.

One intriguing thread the article weaves is the potential tie‑up with the Houston Astros. The Astros have a surplus of left‑handed pitching and might be willing to trade a top prospect for Boucher if it brings the Cardinals closer to a playoff berth. The linked Astros trade history shows that Houston has already traded for a top pitcher in the past when the window for winning narrowed, suggesting they may be open to a similar deal if the Cardinals can offer them something of equal value.

4. The Numbers That Matter

The article does an excellent job of translating speculation into tangible trade metrics. For example, it calculates that a trade for Boucher would cost the Cardinals a 2025 first‑round pick and a prospect in the 2026 class (the article links to a draft pick valuation chart). It further posits that a trade for Gausman could involve a 2024 short‑stop and a future outfielder. These details give fans a clearer view of what the Cardinals would lose and what they stand to gain.

5. The Big Picture

At its heart, the article underscores that the Cardinals are in a delicate position: they want to stay competitive while also investing in their future. They can’t afford to lose Boucher outright, but they also need a left‑handed reliever to complement the rest of the staff. The Angels, on the other hand, are willing to pay a premium for that type of arm. The narrative suggests that a three‑team deal—perhaps involving the Cardinals, the Angels, and the Astros—could be the most logical path forward.

The article concludes with a nod to the Cardinals’ manager Mike Shildt, who recently said that “you can’t trade a pitcher out of the bullpen until you’re sure you have a plan for the rest of the staff.” This statement is mirrored in the Shildt interview link that follows the article, emphasizing the organizational commitment to a balanced roster.

Bottom line: The Cardinals trade speculation is far from a headline‑only story. The data, the scouting reports, and the direct quotes from the front offices paint a picture of a team on the brink of making a significant roster move that could reshape its pitching staff for the next few seasons. Whether the Angels pull the trigger on Zach Boucher—or on a package that includes him—remains to be seen. One thing is clear: the Cardinals are ready to strike, and the Angels are ready to listen.