The past three seasons have been far from smooth for the St. Louis Cardinals, marked by sharp ups and downs. After winning 93 games and capturing the National League Central title in 2022, the franchise took a sudden downturn. St. Louis stumbled to a 71–91 record in 2023, rebounded modestly to 83–79 in 2024, and then slipped again to 78–84 in 2025. The 2023 season was especially rough, representing the club’s worst showing in years and prompting them to act as sellers at the trade deadline for the first time in quite some time. During that summer, the Cardinals dealt away key players such as Jordan Montgomery, Jack Flaherty, and Jordan Hicks. While St. Louis was a minor buyer in 2024—highlighted by the acquisition of Erick Fedde—they once again moved pieces in 2025, including closer Ryan Helsley.
Over the last few years, some of these trades have hit. Some, have not. The Flaherty deal is one that hasn’t been much of a help for the Cardinals in the majors. The Cardinals sent Flaherty to the Orioles for infielder César Prieto, left-handed pitcher Drew Rom, and right-handed pitcher Zack Showalter.
Rom pitched in eight big league games in 2023 while logging an 8.02 ERA. He missed the 2024 season and then made seven starts in the minors in 2025. After the season, he elected free agency from St. Louis and reportedly landed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, per Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“Another minor-league signing with invite to spring training for the Brewers: LHP Drew Rom, a 26-yo fourth-round pick of the Orioles in 2018,” Rosiak wrote on X. “Started eight games for the Cardinals in 2023 for his only MLB experience — 1-4, 8.02 ERA, WHIP of 2.08.”
Also from the Flaherty trade, Showalter is a 21-year-old reliever who hasn’t gotten past High-A down in the minors yet. Prieto spent most of the season in Triple-A last season and was good. He hit .300 with nine homers in 121 games with the Memphis Redbirds. He appeared in three big league games.
All in all, not the greatest move for the Cardinals, but when you trade veterans for prospects that’s going to happen sometimes. Now, the lefty will try to get back to the big leagues with Milwaukee and it doesn’t move the needle much for St. Louis.
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