The Stars are currently in the midst of a hotly contested race for the NL Central title, with the Pirates and to a lesser extent, the Reds right on their tail. Despite being in first place, the Stars have been a bit unlucky, while the Pirates have been somewhat lucky. As a result, the Stars are looking for ways to solidify their lead in the division and secure their spot in the postseason, where they hope to improve upon their World Series appearance last year. One of the ways they hope to do this is by adding an impact bat to their lineup.
According to reports, the Stars have been in talks with several teams regarding high-end middle infielders. Specifically, it’s reported they’ve reached out to Mariners and Twins, who have Juan Cerecedes and Josh Pollack, respectively. With both players making considerable money, however, it’s also reported the Stars are hoping to have a considerable portion of their contracts retained, or to move Tommy Carey, who was acquired from the Cardinals as a salary dump alongside now-ace Jaheem Agurs.
Cerecedes, in particular, has been a standout player this season. The 33-year-old shortstop is hitting .306 with 5 home runs and 27 RBIs in just 48 games. His continued offensive and defensive prowess makes him one of the best middle infielders in the league, and he is under contract for another three seasons, including a player option for the 2039 season. Pollack, meanwhile, had a strong start to his season (.306/.343/.497), raising questions about whether he’ll exercise his 2036 player option this coming offseason.
Adding either of these players to the Stars’ lineup would be a significant upgrade, giving them a much-needed boost on offense. The Stars currently rank in the middle of the pack in runs scored, with 237 runs scored in 52 games. By comparison, the Pirates have scored 232 runs in the same number of games. Given that pedestrian total, the Stars are well aware of the need to improve their offense if they want to maintain their lead in the division. The NL Central’s longstanding mantle as one of the most competitive divisions in baseball has carried over into 2035, so any slip-up could prove costly. Adding an impact bat would not only help the Stars secure their position at the top of the division, but would also give them a better chance of making a deep playoff run.
The Stars have at least a respectable chance of landing one of their targets, as both Cerecedes and Pollack are rumored to be available for trade. Complicating matters, however, is Cerecedes’ no-trade clause, which he has reportedly exercised in the past. Additionally, it remains to be seen what the Stars would have to give up in order to acquire one of these players. Per OSA, the Stars’ farm system sits about middle of the pack but lacks depth, so any trade would likely involve some of their top prospects; something which Stars’ GM Smith Brickner publicly acknowledged and expressed a willingness to do for the right player.