Despite the roster full of potential trade options for the St. Louis Cardinals approaching the 2025 MLB trade deadline, one key player holds a unique position in the trade scenario. The two-time Cardinals All-Star, Miles Mikolas has an important role to play in the team’s trading strategy, with expectations pointing towards him declining any potential trades. Mikolas possesses a no-trade clause in his contract which he plans to enforce, keeping him safe from any trade propositions.
The details of his contract facilitate him with a full veto power over any trade involving him, making it unlikely for him to waive it even if the executives of the Cardinals engage in negotiations for a potential trade deal. This stands true not just in theory, but also has been confirmed by individuals close to the situation. Mikolas’ determined stand to turn down any trade propositions could very well put the Cardinals’ trade deadline strategies into a state of flux.
As it stands, the Cardinals have been lauded for their solid rotational team. However, their intentions to revitalize the squad, possibly by moving on from one of their seasoned players whose contract approaches expiry, are not hidden. Amid these intentions, Mikolas remains a key player set to influence the course of action owing to his contractual protections which he plans to exercise.
Despite the Cardinals administration possibly planning to put Mikolas on the trade block, the player’s power to refuse such moves makes it a challenging scenario. While the team’s management can engage in negotiations or even potentially agree on trades, the final outcome remains largely dependent on Mikolas’ willingness to accept such a decision.
This situation puts the Cardinals on the back foot, particularly considering that Mikolas’ recent performance has not been up to the mark. His current season stats reveal an uphill battle, with 16 starts yielding a record of 4 wins against 5 losses and an earned run average (ERA) of 4.76.
For a player with an All-Star designation, Mikolas’ contributions currently is a shadow of his prime performances. He has a negative 0.1 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) score, clearly indicating his struggles in contributing significantly to the team’s success. He has also managed to only secure 56 strikeouts in his 81.1 innings pitched, further emphasizing his underwhelming results this season.
The professional hurdling doesn’t appear to be a one-season fluke for Mikolas. Looking at his performance in the past couple of seasons, a similar trend can be observed. In 2023, he had to grapple with a 4.78 ERA, and in 2024, it escalated to a staggering 5.35 ERA.
While Mikolas has weathered rough patches on the field, his professional value might still hold significant weight. Given his past laurels and capabilities, there may be several teams that could express interest in procuring his services. However, again, this interest, no matter how lucrative, cannot overcome the veto power Mikolas holds.
For the Cardinals, this entire situation represents a distinct challenge. With Mikolas determined to exercise his rights to refuse any trade, the management has its hands tied. They may see his potential and even get attractive offers, gratifying for both parties but must adhere to his contractual rights and desires.
The presence of the complete no-trade clause in Mikolas’ contract truly puts the player in a powerful position. Regardless of the Cardinals’ interest or potential offers from other teams, the starting pitcher holds the ultimate decision-making power over his trading fate.
These circumstances inadvertently pose a deterrent for the Cardinals’ strategizing their future gameplans. With Mikolas aware of his veto power and determined to exercise it, they are essentially left to deal with it. Their hands are tied, and they are left dealing with the repercussions for the rest of the season.