Giants' show trade interest in Cardinals' ace

Mack Baltes

Giants' show trade interest in Cardinals' ace image

Sonny Gray, who carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning Sunday, has drawn offseason trade interest from the San Francisco Giants, according to team insider Susan Slusser.

Earning the win yesterday, Gray went 5 1/3 innings surrendering two hits, three runs and striking out six. With a 4-3 win, the Cardinals were able to defeat the Giants in two out of three games and move closer to the final National League wild card spot, trailing the Mets by 4 1/2 games. 

Looking ahead to next season, the 35-year-old ace Gray doesn't fit too well on a young and developing Cardinals team. For these reasons, he may provide more value to St. Louis as trade bait than as a starter. 

Slusser reported Giants' interest in adding another veteran, depending on whether or not Justin Verlander returns, writing: "Gray is precisely the type of starter the Giants are likely to target this season, especially if Justin Verlander does not re-sign with the team. They’d like another veteran to go along with Logan Webb and Robbie Ray,"

If the Giants are in the market for another veteran pitcher, Gray would be a great acquisition to make. In 13 big league seasons, he's finished top three in Cy Young Award voting twice. In his past two seasons with St. Louis, he's 26-17 with a 4.15 ERA and 382 strikeouts. Despite his ERA being his highest this season since 2021, Gray would offer the Giants both quality and reliable innings.

That said, it will be up to Sonny Gray himself on whether or not he'll stay put in St. Louis, as his no-trade clause gives him the ability to reject any agreed upon trade.

Mack Baltes

Mack Baltes is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He specializes in MLB and NBA, but also has experience covering the NFL, PGA Tour, English Premier League and NASCAR Cup Series. His work has been seen on Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated, FanSided’s Redbird Rants and Enforce the Sport.