MLB insider drops Cardinals trade idea that would thrill Cubs fans

The Chicago Cubs are sitting at the top of the National League Central division, and it helps that the teams behind them may not be aggressive buyers at the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline. Even the St. Louis Cardinals, who have been on a hot streak this month and looked competitive against the Cubs this week, could be in a position where they move veterans with an eye on the future.

That was the premise of the trade proposal Jim Bowden had during his latest work for The Athletic. While listing the Cardinals as a contender in the Wild-Card race, Bowden essentially has the Cardinals punting on the remainder of the season. In his trade pitch, the Cardinals send third baseman Nolan Arenado and closer Ryan Helsley to the Detroit Tigers for infield prospect Kevin McGonigle.

Interestingly enough, a third baseman and closer are two items that might be on the Cubs' shopping list ahead of the deadline. However, it remains nearly impossible that the Cardinals would be willing to deal Arenado and Helsley to a team within their division. The Cubs were briefly connected to Arenado this past offseason, but it seemed that the Cardinals had no interest in moving the veteran to a team within the division.

This Cardinals trade idea is so helpful it should come with a bow

The Cardinals moving Arenado and Helsley not only out of the division but the National League would be the next best thing. Sure, the Cardinals would be getting one of the game's best prospects in McGonigle, but a prospect that isn't expected to make his Major League debut for a few more seasons. If anything, this trade wouldn't just signal the Cardinals selling on their postseason hopes this season, but next season as well.

Ideas like the one Bowden shares are another reason why the Cubs have to be aggressive at the trade deadline. The Cubs have the prospects to make any move they desire ahead of the deadline. With the right move, the Cubs can remove all of the doubt from their legitimacy as a contender. In doing so, they would also widen the gap between them and teams in their division, like the Cardinals.

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