Cardinals Whose Trades Didn't Happen at the Deadline, Potentially up for Grabs during the Offseason
St. Louis Cardinals' Sonny Gray Remains with the Team Amid Trade Rumors
After two years with the St. Louis Cardinals, starting pitcher Sonny Gray continues to make an impact on the team's pitching staff, leading the team with a high strikeout rate of 9.9 K/9 this season. However, his performance has been inconsistent, with a 4.38 ERA through 121.1 innings and an ERA of 8.44 over his last five starts.
Gray's struggles have been particularly evident in the month of July, affecting his season numbers. In addition, he has allowed 15 home runs this year and 21 last year, a concerning trend for a pitcher who has a relatively low walk rate.
Despite these challenges, Gray, a 35-year-old right-handed pitcher, is under contract for the 2026 season, owed $35 million. The club option for his contract in 2027 is worth $30 million, with a $5 million buyout. This sizable financial commitment is a considerable factor in any potential trade discussions.
Rumors of a trade involving Gray surfaced before the 2025 trade deadline, but he remains on the Cardinals' roster. Gray has a full no-trade clause in his contract and has declined to waive it so far, making a trade before the deadline unlikely.
The Cardinals have reportedly entertained offers and gauged interest from other clubs, but no significant trade proposals have materialized. Teams such as the Cincinnati Reds have been mentioned as potential suitors, given Gray's previous productive years there, but nothing concrete has emerged.
The free agent pitching market is thin this winter, with Dylan Cease being a notable exception. If Gray is open to a trade this offseason and Chaim Bloom, the Cardinals' president of baseball operations, is willing to explore it, he could be dealt.
However, the uncertainty surrounding Gray's future with the Cardinals persists. With Gray likely in his decline years as a pitcher, the team may seek to free up some financial flexibility by trading him. But for now, Gray remains a key member of the Cardinals' rotation.
[1] St. Louis Post-Dispatch
[2] MLB Trade Rumors
[3] ESPN
Sonny Gray's financial commitment to the St. Louis Cardinals, with a contract for the 2026 season worth $35 million and a club option for 2027 worth $30 million, could impact potential trade discussions, as the team seeks to free up financial flexibility, considering Gray's age and declining performance.
Despite trade rumors and Gray's inconsistent performance, he has declined to waive his no-trade clause, keeping him on the Cardinals' roster as the team explores offers from clubs like the Cincinnati Reds.
