Rising Cardinals Fan-Favorite Reportedly Loosely Linked To Yankees In Possible Trade

The St. Louis Cardinals could look very different in 2024.

St. Louis has struggled, to say the least, this season and will need to make at least a few moves to get back to the postseason next year. The Cardinals currently are in last place in the National League Central with an abysmal 63-81 record and likely will finish with over 90 losses for the first time since 1990. 

The Cardinals have been long rumored to be in the market for at least three new starting pitchers this offseason but it's unclear exactly what the club will do. One player who could end up finding himself playing elsewhere is fan-favorite catcher, Andrew Knizner and one team that possibly could be a fit is the New York Yankees, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold. 

"The Cardinals are going to find out (about a possible trade involving Knizner)," Goold said. "They'll see what other teams think in those opening weeks of November. What he's done is assure that he'll be with the Cardinals or be in a trade. It's hard to see them making a choice to free a spot on the roster by letting him become a free agent. He would not be the centerpiece of a deal. But there are notable teams hunting for catching help that have scouted/discussed him before. The Yankees were in that mix this past spring, for example."

Knizner has gotten an extended opportunity with the Cardinals and certainly has been impressive. In 60 games, Knizner has slashed .242/.287/.442 with 10 home runs and 30 RBIs while providing solid defense behind the plate. St. Louis has All-Star catcher Willson Contreras under contract until 2028 and 23-year-old Iván Herrera on the roster, as well. 

There's no way for sure to know if a move will happen, but if Knizner is traded, keep an eye on the Yankees.