Cardinals get pitching prospect Liberatore from Rays/Braves wait on Donaldson decision

The St. Louis Cardinals are adding a high-profile pitching prospect with the addition of Matthew Liberatore. The club acquired the left-hander from the Tampa Bay Rays Thursday.

Liberatore is MLB’s 41st best prospect per MLB Pipeline. The 20-year-old was selected by the Tampa Bay in the 2018 MLB Draft. He made 16 appearances for Class A Bowling Green in 2019, going 6-2 with a 3.10 ERA, 76 strikeouts and 31 walks. Hopkinsville’s Easton McGee was also on that Hot Rods team.

The Atlanta Braves are still waiting on free-agent third baseman Josh Donaldson to make a decision. They hope to re-sign the 34-year-old, but the Washington Nationals, Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins are also in the mix. Donaldson reportedly wants a four-year deal worth around 110-million-dollars.