As the MLB trade deadline draws closer, the St. Louis Cardinals appear ready to continue reshaping their roster, with veteran pitcher Dustin May emerging as one of the franchise’s most likely trade candidates. The organization has embraced a youth-focused rebuilding strategy while remaining competitive, making the deadline an opportunity to turn expiring contracts into valuable prospects for the future.
Although the Cardinals have remained within striking distance of a National League postseason spot for much of the season, the front office has prioritized long-term success over short-term gains. That approach has placed several experienced players on the trade market, creating an emotional atmosphere inside the clubhouse as teammates prepare for the possibility of saying goodbye to familiar faces.
One of those emotional moments came when All-Star catcher Ivan Herrera publicly acknowledged that May’s time in St. Louis is likely coming to an end. Speaking after May’s most recent start, Herrera praised the veteran right-hander not only for his contributions on the field but also for the impact he has made inside the clubhouse.
Herrera made it clear that May has earned the respect of everyone in the organization and expressed support for whatever comes next in the pitcher’s career.
“He’s an amazing teammate. We love having him here, and we’ll wish him nothing but the best if he gets traded,” Herrera said, signaling what many around the league already expect to happen before the deadline.
The Cardinals’ recent handling of May also appeared to reinforce those expectations. During his latest outing, the club entered the game with a plan to carefully monitor his workload, even if he was pitching effectively. Rather than allowing him to work deep into the game, the coaching staff intended to remove him early in an effort to protect his health ahead of a potential trade.
May’s strong performance allowed him to pitch into the fifth inning before being taken out, a decision that reflected the organization’s desire to preserve one of its most valuable trade assets. By limiting his workload while showcasing his effectiveness, St. Louis attempted to maximize his appeal to interested contenders without exposing him to unnecessary injury risk.
The strategy highlights the difficult balancing act teams face when selling at the trade deadline. On one hand, the Cardinals wanted to remain competitive and win games. On the other, they recognized that May’s long-term value to the franchise could come through the prospects acquired in a trade rather than through the remainder of his season in St. Louis.
Fortunately for the Cardinals, the cautious approach did not cost them the game. Had the decision to remove May early resulted in a loss, the reaction inside the clubhouse could have been much different.
Around Major League Baseball, executives and analysts have long viewed May as one of the Cardinals’ most logical trade chips. The right-hander signed a one-year contract before the season, making him an ideal candidate for a deadline move to a contender seeking experienced rotation help.
The expectation from the moment May joined St. Louis was that he would provide quality innings, rebuild his value, and potentially be flipped for prospects if the Cardinals found themselves outside the playoff picture. After delivering a productive campaign, that plan now appears to be reaching its final stage.
For contending teams, May represents an experienced starter capable of strengthening a rotation for the stretch run. For the Cardinals, trading him would bring back young talent that aligns with the organization’s long-term rebuilding vision.
While the business side of baseball often dictates these decisions, Herrera’s comments served as a reminder of the personal relationships involved. If May has indeed thrown his final pitch in a Cardinals uniform, he leaves behind not only a productive season but also the admiration and respect of teammates who have already begun preparing for his departure.
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