St. Louis Cardinals veteran starter Sonny Gray has emerged as a potential trade candidate for the upcoming offseason. The 34-year-old had an impressive 2024 campaign, finishing with a 13-9 record, a 3.84 ERA, and 203 strikeouts over 166 1/3 innings. With numerous teams in need of experienced starting pitching, Gray’s skillset would make him a valuable addition to a contender.
Cardinals Veteran Starter Sonny Gray a Highly Desired Trade Candidate
Cardinals President of Baseball Operations, John Mozeliak, has emphasized the organization’s focus on giving younger players more opportunities. “Ultimately, the direction that we’re going to be going, it’s going to be creating some opportunities for our younger players,” Mozeliak said, signaling that veterans like Sonny Gray may be allowed to explore other options as the team shifts toward rebuilding. If the Cardinals move Gray, they are likely to target young prospects in return, though they may need to cover a significant portion of his salary to facilitate a trade.
Gray, a three-time All-Star, signed a three-year, $75 million contract with the Cardinals on November 27th, 2023, which includes a club option for 2027. He was the 2023 American League Cy Young runner-up during his time with the Minnesota Twins, a major achievement as the first Twins pitcher to finish as runner-up since Kenta Maeda in 2020. With an impressive 30.3% strikeout rate and his ability to pitch deep into games, Gray has surfaced as a potential target for the Cleveland Guardians.
Offseason Trade Candidate: Cardinals SP Sonny Gray
Contract breakdown:
2025 – $25M
2026 – $35M
2027 – $30M (club option)STL is looking to cut payroll this winter and Gray’s 30.3% strikeout rate this year was the second-best of his career.
High-end SP2 for a contending team. pic.twitter.com/3TX6Lx0FxN
— MLB Deadline News (@MLBDeadlineNews) October 23, 2024
Gray’s connection with Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, who used to catch for him when they were both with the Oakland Athletics, strengthens this possibility. The Guardians, who are prioritizing the addition of a starter this offseason, may see Gray as a strong fit. His solid 3.12 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) in 2024, which ranked higher than notable pitchers like Corbin Burnes (3.21) and Max Fried (3.33), along with his ability to limit walks, makes Gray an attractive option for teams looking to bolster their rotation.
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