Three possible trade destinations for Sonny Gray
The St. Louis Cardinals brought in Sonny Gray to stabilize a rotation that had been a weakness in 2023. His time in St. Louis may end sooner than expected.
Signed to a three-year, $75 million contract with a $30 million team option for 2027, Gray lived up to expectations. He posted a 3.84 ERA and a 1.088 WHIP over his 166.1 innings, striking out 203 batters with 39 walks. Although he missed time due to a strained hamstring and right forearm tightness, Gray was exactly what the Cardinals needed.
However, his time in St. Louis may be about to end. Bob Nightengale from USA Today reported that the Cardinals plan on shopping Gray this offseason in an attempt to reduce payroll. The problem is that Gray has a full no-trade clause. He would need to be convinced to waive that ability to block a trade for any deals to happen.
With the Cardinals expected to shop Gray during the offseason, let’s take a look at three possible landing spots.
Minnesota Twins
There is plenty of blame to go around for the Minnesota Twins’ epic collapse over the final few weeks of the season. The rotation is one area that should get attention this offseason.
Twins starters posted a 4.76 ERA over their 126.2 innings in September, 22nd in the majors. Youngsters David Festa (4.90 ERA), Simeon Woods Richardson (4.17 ERA) and Zebby Matthews (6.69 ERA) faltered in September, allowing the Tigers to roar into a playoff spot.
Losing pitcher Joe Ryan to a Grade 2 teres major strain in his right shoulder exposed the Twins’ lack of rotation depth. Gray spent two seasons in Minnesota, posting a 2.90 ERA and a 1.139 WHIP in 303.2 innings between 2022 and 2023. A return to Minnesota could be just what Gray and the Twins need.
Cincinnati Reds
Nightengale mentioned one possible landing spot for Gray in his article — the Cincinnati Reds.
The Reds have a likely disadvantage when it comes to trading for Gray as divisional foes. However, the Reds need to do something to take advantage of their young core.
Second baseman Jonathan India called out Reds ownership for not giving the team resources to make a push for the playoffs. Adding Gray to a rotation with burgeoning star Hunter Greene and promising pitcher Rhett Lowder would be a step in the right direction.
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros won the AL West despite having almost their entire rotation on the injured list. Pitchers Cristian Javier, Jose Urquidy, Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia should all return during the 2025 season, but it is fair to wonder how effective they will be.
