Cardinals Likely to Retain All-Star Catcher Ivan Herrera Ahead of Trade Deadline

As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the St. Louis Cardinals are expected to keep All-Star catcher Ivan Herrera, despite interest from other teams.

<p>As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the St. Louis Cardinals are in a strong position regarding their catching depth, with All-Star catcher Ivan Herrera unlikely to be traded, according to reports from The Athletic.</p><p>The Cardinals currently have three catchers on their major-league roster: Herrera, Pedro Pagés, and rookie Jimmy Crooks. While they have promising prospects in the minors, including Leo Bernal and Rainiel Rodriguez, the organization does not feel pressured to trade major-league talent at this time.</p><p>Despite concerns about Herrera's defensive capabilities, particularly his arm strength, the Cardinals value his offensive contributions. They are more open to discussing trades involving Crooks, who is not eligible for arbitration until 2029. As the deadline nears, the Cardinals are expected to focus on expiring contracts rather than parting with Herrera, who has a batting line of .246/.364/.383 with 12 home runs and 46 RBI in 2026.</p>