Report: Cardinals could expand trade talks with Rays to include Longoria
The St. Louis Cardinals are actively pursuing Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton, but it appears he isn't their only trade target.
St. Louis has reportedly discussed a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays about closer Alex Colome, but those talks could shift or expand to include third baseman Evan Longoria, according to a source of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold.
Longoria could be an alternative trade option if the Cardinals fail to land Stanton, according to Goold, with the Rays reportedly trying to trim payroll this season. The 32-year-old is owed $13.5 million this coming season and still has $81 million left on his contract which includes a 2023 team option for $13 million.
St. Louis used a rotation of players at third base last season, with Jedd Gyorko getting most of the reps - 109 games at third - but he's more of a natural second baseman. Longoria, on the other hand, is a three-time Gold Glove winner and would bring a career .823 OPS to the table.
The Cardinals finished third in the National League Central last season with 83 wins, their lowest total since winning 78 games in 2007.