Could the Cardinals Look to Bolster Their Rotation With This Breakout Pitcher?

Martin Perez is an All-Star. Who could have seen that coming?

The thirty-one-year-old has pitched to a fantastic 2.68 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts in 111 innings this season. 

Perez signed a one-year, $4-million deal with the Rangers this offseason, and has arguably been the best free-agent signing of this past spring. 

Last season, Perez posted a 4.74 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, and a 7-8 record. It was his fifth straight season with a 4.50 or greater ERA. Perez has lightened the usage on his fastball this season (6.6%) and upped how much he throws his sinker (37%) and changeup (27%). He's also knocked down the usage on his cutter but is still throwing it a decent amount. The results have been undeniably impressive for Perez.

Although both the Rangers and Perez have expressed mutual interest in negotiating a contract extension, the pitcher's trade value is perhaps at the highest it will ever be. With the Rangers currently seven-and-a-half games back of a Wild Card spot, it might be a very real possibility that they sell this deadline to be contenders next season.

The team could trade Perez to a contending team and then re-sign him this offseason as well.

A team that might look to acquire the All-Star pitcher is the St. Louis Cardinals. 

The Cardinals' current starting rotation features, Adam Wainwright (3.00 ERA), Miles Mikolas (2.54 ERA), Steven Matz (6.03 ERA), Dakota Hudson (4.10 ERA), and Andre Pallante (3.34 ERA). That's not going to win them a World Series. 

Martin Perez could slot into their number three starting pitcher role very nicely. The Cardinals have a deep 40-man roster, and farm system, and could easily make an attractive offer to the Rangers. 

Some names that could be dealt include Brendan Donovan, Juan Yepez, Zack Thompson, and Matthew Liberatore. The Cardinals also have attractive prospect names in Jordan Walker, Ivan Herrera, and Masyn Winn. 

With this slew of talent, the Cardinals should have no problem making a deal for Martin Perez. The only question is, will they?

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports