If the St. Louis Cardinals can continue their winning ways, their position will naturally improve as the trade deadline approaches.Currently in third place with a 28-30 record, the Cardinals have been one of the hottest teams in baseball over the past few weeks. Many had written them off, but they are now looking like a team that could realistically compete for a playoff spot. With just under two months until the trade deadline, St. Louis has plenty of time to climb further up the standings.
Speculation is already swirling about potential player trades, and Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller has compiled a list of the top 30 players who could be moved. Surprisingly, Miller ranked Cardinals ace Sonny Gray at No. 10.
“Gray’s back-loaded contract is going to make things interesting. St. Louis might be willing to part with the ace who has a 2.92 ERA since the beginning of 2022, but how eager will other teams be to add a pitcher who turns 35 this November and is still owed at least $65 million? It might be similar to last summer’s Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander trades, where the strength of the prospect haul will hinge on how much of that future payroll the Cardinals are willing to retain. As things currently stand, though, St. Louis would be the No. 6 seed in the NL bracket, so this team is far from selling.”
Gray has been exactly what the Cardinals needed this season, making it highly unlikely he will be moved. Given their recent hot streak, St. Louis is more likely to add talent than subtract from their roster.
Even if the Cardinals end up selling, it’s unlikely that Gray will be on the move.