Rays could deal starting pitching depth for talented Cardinals prospects

There is an ongoing rumor that Jeffrey Springs is being shopped around by the Rays due to his $6 million salary for 2025, which might as well be $40 million for the Rays, especially with the stadium uncertainty and any potential loss of revenue from playing at George Steinbrenner Field in 2025.

Also, Zack Littell is projected to make around $5-$6 million in arbitration by most projections, making him an equally expensive commodity the Rays likely "can't afford."

The St. Louis Cardinals need starting pitching in the most desperate way, especially as their front office sheds payroll, while wanting to remain competitive for a demanding fanbase.

Springs costs a bit as well, as the lefty is around the same price as Littell, but they're both a lot cheaper than Sonny Gray, who could easily be dealt due to his $25 million salary for the 2025 season. The drop-off between Gray and either Littell or Springs isn't as bad as the price difference would suggest.

Therefore, let's look at some Cardinals prospects the Rays could target in a deal for their starting pitchers.

Jimmy Crooks

Is the 23-year-old left-handed-hitting catcher ready for the big leagues? Probably not.

Crooks spent his 2024 season in AA after a brief, one-game cameo at the AAA level in 2023, while spending the rest of his year in A+.

The Texas native has absolutely mashed at every level of organized baseball up to this point, making him one of the higher-valued prospects in the Cardinals organization. Impressively, he's still only two years removed from being drafted in the 4th round out of the University of Oklahoma.

His 55 future value defensively according to FanGraphs leaves a bit to be desired, but Crooks' bat behind the dish should play.

The left-handed slugger posted a 122 wRC+ mark in a full season at A+ and during his time at the AA level last year he posted an excellent 156 mark in that category.

The most encouraging part of Crooks' profile is his ability to command the strike zone; while his K-rate has hovered around 21% through his first couple of years in minor league ball, he also managed a .410 OBP last season with a .321 average, speaking to someone who knows how to take his walks.

His power might not ever be a strong suit, with a 40 future grade in in-game power according to FanGraphs, but it's something that could develop as he continues to work in major league workout programs.

Overall, Crooks would be a centerpiece of any deal the Rays make with St. Louis, but he'd be worth the investment, even with a 2026 ETA for the majors.

Thomas Saggese

Saggese came through the pipeline as a bat-first shortstop, but his defensive struggles have moved the former 4th round pick to second base.

That's just fine with the Rays, as his versatility makes him an attractive candidate for a utility role. Also as Tampa Bay is potentially dealing Brandon Lowe to rid themselves of his "expensive" salary, Saggese could even compete for a spot there to platoon with former St. Louis Cardinal, Richie Palacios.

However, the Carlsbad High School product has yet to hit at the AAA level, and his brief time in the majors wasn't much to write home about. Although, he tore through the Rangers' and Cardinals' minor league systems easily, posting solid wRC+ marks in A, A+, and AA.

His profile has been mostly reliant on his ability to put the ball in play, and sometimes with quite a bit of authority; despite a below-average overall production at the AAA level in 2024. He did manage to hit 20 home runs, showing a potential for some pop in his right-handed bat.

The big concern with Saggese is his defensive fit and his lack of plate discipline, as he's stayed at 5-6% in the walk-rate category. While his move to more time at second and third might have more to do with Mason Wynn being, well, Mason Wynn, it's still something to think about for the defensive-minded Rays.