The St. Louis Cardinals haven't often found themselves in this position.
But they're aging, and not quite good enough, and need to find a way to move into a new era.
That could result in some trades, writes USA Today's Bob Nightengale in a new article on Monday.
Two players that could very possibly be moved: Sonny Gray and Nolan Arenado.
Gray remains one of the game's better right-handed pitchers and could have appeal for a time more firmly in its contention window.
"Gray is one of the finest starters on the trade block, but he’s also earning $35 million this year and has a full no-trade clause," Nightengale writes. "He has a $30 million club option in 2027. The Cardinals will have to eat some of the contract if they want to move him."
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Arenado isn't the hitter or fielder he once was, but he's still useful with both a bat and a glove.
"He rejected deals to the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels a year ago," Nightengale writes. "This time around, he may not say no to anybody and will be willing to waive his no-trade clause to get out of town. The Cardinals will have to pay down some of the remaining $31 million left on his contract through 2027."
As Nightengale lays out, money would be the big hold up here.
St. Louis will likely have to grease the skids on any potential deal by eating dollars.
But to move forward into a new dawn, the Cardinals have to figure out a way to get these deals done. Using some cash to help the cause is just the price they'll have to pay.
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