The St. Louis Cardinals have bolstered their rotation and added a versatile outfielder in a three-team deal that sent infielder Edman to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals have made a significant move to bolster their roster ahead of the MLB trade deadline, acquiring right-hander Josiah Gray and outfielder Luke Voit from the Washington Nationals in a three-team trade that also sent infielder Edman to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Cardinals had been actively seeking starting pitching depth, and Gray, 24, has emerged as a promising young arm. The former No. 2 overall pick posted a 4.59 ERA in 21 starts for the Nationals this season.
Cardinals Acquire Fedde, Pham, Edman Departs in Multi-Team Trade
Voit, 31, is a powerful left-handed hitter who has averaged 25 home runs per 162 games over the past five seasons. He provides the Cardinals with another power bat in the middle of their lineup.
In exchange for Gray and Voit, the Cardinals sent Edman to the Dodgers. The 26-year-old utility player has been a valuable asset for St. Louis, providing versatility and speed at multiple positions.
The Cardinals also acquired right-handed reliever Jordan Hicks from the Cubs as part of the deal. Hicks, 25, has been a solid setup man in Chicago, posting a 3.63 ERA in 37 appearances this season.
The Dodgers, who were looking to add depth to their infield, were reportedly interested in Edman's ability to play both second base and shortstop. In return for Edman, they sent the Cardinals minor league infielder Jacob Amaya.
The trade comes as the Cardinals chase their first National League Central title since 2019. They currently lead the division by 5.5 games over the Milwaukee Brewers.
The addition of Gray and Voit gives the Cardinals a boost in their starting rotation and lineup, respectively. Gray will likely slot into the No. 4 spot behind Jack Flaherty, Adam Wainwright, and Miles Mikolas. Voit will join Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, and Tyler O'Neill in a formidable middle of the order.
The Cardinals are still in need of a left-handed bat and could explore additional trades before the Aug. 2 trade deadline. However, the acquisition of Gray and Voit is a significant step toward bolstering their roster for the playoff push.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers add a versatile infielder in Edman, who can provide depth at multiple positions. Edman has a career .283 batting average and has stolen 25 bases in each of the past three seasons.
The trade also gives the Dodgers a potential replacement for shortstop Corey Seager, who is set to become a free agent after the season. Edman has played shortstop regularly in the past and could fill that role in Seager's absence.
Overall, the three-team trade is a significant shakeup for all three teams involved. The Cardinals have addressed their need for starting pitching and power, while the Dodgers have added a versatile infielder. It remains to be seen how these moves will impact each team's playoff hopes.
