Division rivals seem very eager to trade with one another, with now the Cardinals and Brewers engaging in talks. The two teams are discussing a move that would involve Brewers first baseman Adam Lind, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
St. Louis has been in desperate need for a first basemen after losing Matt Adams for the year with a torn quadriceps muscle. With Adams being viewed as part of the Cardinals future going forward, the team is looking at the rental market for a replacement. Lind provides a little bit more than a rental, with him having a $8 million option for the 2016 season.
If the Cardinals were to acquire him for this year, they would have a trade piece to use to start talks at the winter meetings in December. Lind has had quite the 2015 season, hitting .285 with a .365 on base-percentage and 16 home runs.
He has been platooned for most of the season, but the Cardinals have the tools needed to make that work. Mark Reynolds could be a perfect fit for a first base platoon, and if that doesn't work the team could always use Stephen Piscotty, their top prospect, there. Although, they would probably prefer him to get him regular playing time.
Lind's back injury has caused some pause in the talks, but it appears that it is only minor. If it is a lingering issue, the Cardinals could be pressed to look elsewhere. They could even call the Orioles, who may be eager to move Chris Davis if they fall out of contention by Friday, or look at trade candidates Pedro Alvarez (Pirates) or Mike Napoli (Red Sox).