St. Louis Cardinals veteran right-hander Sonny Gray could find himself on the trade block this offseason as the organization reassesses its roster construction heading into 2026.
According to Chase Irle of SportsTalkATL.com, Gray is a player worth monitoring as the Cardinals potentially look to shed some veteran contracts and retool for the future. Irle wrote, “The Cardinals have made some questionable offseason decisions in recent years, but perhaps this is the winter they finally begin to move off some of their veteran pieces. One name to watch is Sonny Gray, who’s entering the final year of a deal worth $35 million, with a $30 million option for 2027.”
For teams seeking proven starting pitching, that kind of contract might be manageable, especially for a contender like the Atlanta Braves, who are expected to be active this winter. Following a disappointing 2025 season that fell well short of expectations, Atlanta’s front office will be under pressure to make impactful roster changes. Whether through free agency or the trade market, the Braves are expected to explore multiple avenues to strengthen their roster and restore faith among fans.
The trade market, in particular, is shaping up to be loaded with high-profile starting pitchers, and Atlanta has already been linked to several of those names. Gray could be one of the more realistic options if the Braves decide to pursue a veteran arm without surrendering top prospects.
While the financial side of the deal isn’t especially team-friendly—given Gray’s age and salary—his track record of durability and consistency could make him a valuable addition to a rotation that has struggled to stay healthy. Over the last three seasons, Gray has logged 160 or more innings each year and made at least 28 starts per season, providing reliability that few aging pitchers can match.
His 4.28 ERA in 2025 may hint that his age—now 35—is beginning to take its toll, but his strikeout numbers remain strong, underscoring that he still possesses swing-and-miss stuff. For a Braves team that has dealt with constant injuries to its pitching staff, adding a dependable and experienced starter like Gray could serve as both an insurance policy and a stabilizing presence in the rotation.
In short, while his contract may give some front offices pause, Sonny Gray represents exactly the kind of short-term, low-risk gamble that a win-now team like Atlanta might consider if the price is right.