The Cardinals haven’t made a single trade this offseason despite plenty of reasons to shake up their roster. It’s puzzling.
St. Louis has publicly acknowledged they’re rebuilding, even if they expect it to be brief. So why are they hanging onto expensive veterans? Nolan Arenado appears to be staying put, and Sonny Gray was never seriously shopped around.
Gray could bring back valuable prospects in a trade. The 35-year-old starter signed a three-year, $75 million contract before the 2024 season, and quality pitching always commands a premium on the trade market.
Let’s be honest – Gray’s age is a factor here. Even if the Cardinals return to contention before his contract ends (there’s a club option for 2027), each passing season increases the risk of performance decline. That’s just baseball reality for pitchers in their mid-30s.
Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller predicted on Thursday that Gray would land with the Mets before this year’s trade deadline. New York desperately needs starting pitching and plans to contend in 2025.
“St. Louis might need to retain a decent chunk of that 2026/2027 money to get a good return for Gray, but it sure is already looking like the Mets will be in the market for arms this summer,” Miller wrote.
The financial picture makes a trade even more logical. The Cardinals owe Gray $25 million this season and $35 million next year, with that $30 million club option (or $5 million buyout) looming for 2027. Add in the $64 million still owed to Arenado, and that’s too much money tied up in aging veterans for a team that’s not all-in on winning now.
What makes a Mets trade particularly intriguing is their current pitching situation. With injuries to Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas, New York’s need is growing more desperate. The Cardinals could leverage that desperation to extract maximum prospect value in return.
That’s the kind of smart business move that accelerates a rebuild – even a short one.
