Cardinals surprise MLB with big comeback as John Mozeliak pauses trade plans

The St. Louis Cardinals appeared to be facing an ugly season when they fell to 14-19 in early May. But things have altered quickly. The Cardinals have won 12 of their last 13 games since hitting that nadir, capped by a nine-game winning streak. They trail first-place Chicago by just one game in the NL Central and are in the playoff hunt again with strong momentum.John Mozeliak's last season on the job as head of baseball operations might alter how the Cardinals approach the trade deadline. The Cardinals have informed other clubs that they might not trade away their assets even if they aren't division leaders, ESPN's Buster Olney reported. The team's strong performance has led them to reconsider selling.Players such as Ryan Helsley, Miles Mikolas, Phil Maton, Steven Matz, and Erick Fedde have all been talked about as potential trade chips. Helsley particularly might return some elite young players. But if the team continues to win, they might opt to retain those players for a playoff push.The St. Louis Cardinals were once expected to be relegated to the sidelines of this year's postseason battle, but their surprising turnaround in recent weeks has made them one of the league's strongest teams. Their offense has been an all-around powerhouse, piling up high-scoring runs, and their pitching staff has shown a superb capacity to keep opponents at bay.If this exceptional momentum continues, management may need to reevaluate their strategy, potentially leaning towards acquiring new talent instead of offloading existing players. The shift in their trajectory has certainly ignited discussions about bolstering the roster as they aim for a playoff berth.They have a few of their worthiest players that would be traded if they get behind down the stretch of the season. But for now, the Cardinals are appearing as more buyers than sellers. While Mozeliak finishes out his last year at the helm and the team is winning games, St. Louis is now a team to monitor as the trade deadline approaches.Also Read: Royals’ Mistake Becomes Cardinals’ Big Hit, Ivan Herrera Leads Team To Victory