Cards / Mariners - APPROVED

[Cardinals GM (John C)]

The Cards have a pretty decent pitching staff thus far but the offense is lacking (with some injuries not helping, but everyone deals with those), so a move needs to be made:

Cards Send
P Zach Eflin (TB) - 24: $7.0M / 25: FA
MI Miguel Vargas (LAD) - 24: $0.74M (PP 2/5)
CI/MI Ramon Urias (BAL) - 24: $2.1M (PP 4/5)

Mariners Send
CI/OF Cody Bellinger (CHC) - 24: $8.6M / 25: FA
CI Jose Miranda (MIN) - 24: $0.74M (PP 2/5)

I accept some risk by sending Zach Eflin, but he was the most likely candidate for a trade since I currently have 8 SPs.  Nick had to use a crow bar to pry Miguel Vargas away, but receiving Jose Miranda (and his top flight offensive potential, questionable future defensive position, and surgically-repaired shoulder) eases the blow a bit.  Ramon Urias was included to even up the cap numbers ($0.5M more is going the Mariners' way), but he is a former Gold Glove winner who has been pushed out of the starting lineup by the kids in Baltimore.

Easy and productive talks with Nick.  Best of luck the rest of the way and moving forward to next season!

[Mariners GM (Nick J)]

Mariners agree. I love Bellinger and Miranda and they have both looked great this season, but I think this trade sets me up better for 2025 and beyond. Starting pitching is always going to be a hot commodity so I can flip Eflin if it makes sense for me to do so. Vargas has done nothing but rake in AAA but its yet to be shown if he can put it together in the majors or if the Dodgers will even give him a chance. Urias is nice depth to compliment Westburg who I already have in this league too. Good luck to John this year!

[Rob Manfred (Trade Review)]

Trade currently being discussed by the Trade Panel.

If vetoed, the two teams will be given two days to re-work the trade before any of the players in the deal can be moved in other deals.

Please respect the decision made by the Commissioner's Office.

[Diamondbacks GM (Ethan)]

Contracts are correct as shown

[Rob Manfred (Trade Review)]

Trade Approved

This trade has been approved by the review committee. Please make the necessary adjustments to your rosters at PB's.

As always, be sure that trade is posted on Fantrax for final approval. As a reminder all trades should be posted on Fantrax simultaneously with posting on PB's.