The Cardinals need to keep that hope out of negotiations with Sean Murphy.

The St. Louis Cardinals need to replace Yadier Molina, who retired at the end of this season. Sean Murphy makes a lot of sense, but it will cost them dearly.

Sean Murphy of the Oakland Athletics is one of the best two-way catchers in all of baseball, which is why he’s in such demand. Oakland’s fire sale has lasted for most of the past three offseasons, with Matt Olson and other young stars traded for prospects.

Murphy fits that mold, and given their need for a receiver, the Cardinals are an obvious suitor. There have been numerous reports of the Cardinals’ interest in a trade, but only at a cost that doesn’t damage their system to the point of no return. Given Murphy’s ability and his contract status (possibility of arbitration until 2025), he won’t come cheap.

How much would it cost the Cardinals to trade Sean Murphy?

FanSided’s Eric Treuden set out a potential trade deal for Sean Murphy last week, and it’s a heavy-handed deal for St. Cardinals fans have lashed out at their top prospects – and they’re not the only ones. , it’s a flaw of every fanbase – to add a player like Murphy, they’ll have to part ways with some of them.

The Cardinals get

C, Sean Murphy

Athletics Get

INF, Nolan Gorman

LHP, Matthew Liberatore

PHR, Jake Woodford

While Baseball Trade Values ​​suggests this trade is relatively even, Oakland is likely to aim higher, at least initially. Jordan Walker will enter the conversation, and the Cardinals should then hang up the phone.

Cardinals can’t afford to trade Jordan Walker

Jordan Walker is the undisputed top prospect in the Cardinals’ breeding system, and despite playing mostly third base in his first MiLB campaign, St. Louis has begun showing him around all three outside positions. In doing so, they open up the possibility of a path to the majors without living in the shadow of Nolan Arenado.

Walker is only 20 years old, but his average exit speed is already on par with talents such as Javier Baez, Fernando Tatis Jr. and others of the same age. As good as Murphy is, Walker deserves to be kept at all costs.