With the MLB trade deadline approaching, the St. Louis Cardinals are facing tough decisions as their performance has faltered, culminating in a 4-10 record through June. Speculation surrounds star Nolan Arenado, whose recent slump could prompt the team to trade him for fresh prospects and a change of scenery.

Despite a .283 career batting average, Arenado's current season is disappointing, with a .244 average, just eight home runs, and a career-low OPS of .694. However, his elite defensive skills may still entice contenders. Other potential trade candidates include Ryan Helsley and Sonny Gray, as the Cardinals look to reshape their roster for the future.

As the MLB All-Star Game approaches on July 15, five St. Louis Cardinals are showing strong fan support in the early voting updates. Brendan Donovan leads the pack, currently sitting in fourth place among National League second basemen. Despite his impressive performance leading the league in WAR and several batting metrics, he trails behind Ketel Marte, Tommy Edman, and Nico Hoerner, largely due to market size disparities.

Other Cardinals in the mix include Iván Herrera, Willson Contreras, Nolan Arenado, and Masyn Winn, all of whom are in the top 10 for their respective positions. Donovan’s chances of moving forward in the voting hinge on closing the gap with Edman and Hoerner over the next voting rounds.

As the MLB trade deadline approaches, teams are assessing their postseason strategies, with the St. Louis Cardinals emerging as a surprise contender this season. Analyst Jim Bowden highlights that the Cardinals have consistently performed well, thanks to their solid starting rotation and lineup. Despite initial expectations to be sellers, the Cardinals find themselves just five games back in the NL Central and in contention for a wild card spot.

Bowden advises the Cardinals to stay the course, suggesting they do not have pressing needs or the resources for major trades. Instead, focusing on player development for their younger talent appears to be the more prudent approach as they aim for a deep postseason run without making significant roster changes.

In a commanding performance, the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-0, marking a significant moment in MLB history by blanking the team that has dominated the league for the past decade. Starting pitcher Sonny Gray showcased remarkable skill, working through eight hits over 6 1/3 innings without allowing a run. Nolan Arenado led the Cardinals offensively, achieving three hits out of the team's seven. However, he was notably absent from the lineup in the next game against Dodgers' pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who boasts a stellar 2.39 ERA.

Despite Arenado's impressive career stats against the Dodgers, he received a day off amid trade speculations and batting struggles, holding a career-low .228 average in the season. Nolan Gorman took his place, illustrating the Cardinals' depth as they continue their pursuit in the NL Central.