The St. Louis Cardinals are entering an offseason where tough decisions need to be made – not just to stay competitive in the near term, but to begin reshaping a roster that no longer quite fits its own timeline. After finishing well outside the playoff conversation, the team faces the harsh reality that a full-on rebuild might not be necessary-but a reset certainly is.
And at the core of that reset? Two aging, high-profile names: Sonny Gray and Nolan Arenado.
Let’s start with Gray. The veteran right-hander still has one year left on his contract, and unlike Arenado-who’s been trending downward and might be tough to move-Gray could genuinely bring something back in return.
Whether that’s salary relief, mid-tier prospects, or both, the Cardinals have an opportunity here to capitalize on a pitcher whose value hasn’t completely dried up, even after a disappointing stretch in St. Louis.
One possible landing spot that’s come into focus: the San Francisco Giants. The Giants are setting up for a serious push in 2026, especially after going all-in midseason by acquiring Rafael Devers and absorbing his massive contract. With so much money already allocated, they likely won’t be shopping at the very top of the free-agent pitching market this winter, which opens the door for a trade.
That’s where Gray comes into play.
It makes sense on both ends. Gray would move into a pitcher-friendly ballpark, slotting into a rotation between Logan Webb and Robbie Ray, giving San Francisco a dependable veteran arm without the cost of a long-term commitment.
Reports suggest the Cardinals are open to covering part of the $65 million Gray is still owed over the next two seasons, which includes a $5 million buyout in 2028. For a team like the Giants-who want to win but also tread carefully around the luxury tax-it’s an option that balances payroll flexibility and competitive urgency.
From St. Louis’ perspective, this could be a textbook move: take the L on a signing that didn’t pan out the way they hoped, shed some or most of the salary, and package Gray in exchange for a couple of mid-level prospects.
They’re not getting someone like Bryce Eldridge back in this kind of deal-that’s off the table-but useful players still on the rise? That’s attainable, and potentially exactly what they need to start retooling in earnest.
None of this suggests the Cardinals are launching into a long rebuild. But it does suggest they recognize what their window doesn’t look like anymore.
Sonny Gray was brought in to help lead a competitive staff last season. That didn’t happen.
But if he ends up anchoring a contending Giants rotation instead, both sides might walk away happy. Gray gets another shot at October.
The Cardinals gain financial flexibility and a clearer look at the future.
And for a fan base as passionate and tuned-in as St. Louis’, that might be the most hopeful sign yet that this front office is ready to reset the right way.
