Atlanta Braves fans are hopeful the team will spend what is necessary this offseason, but no position on the free agent market costs more than quality starting pitching. For that reason, Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos could pivot to the myriad of names rumored to be on the trade block.
The St. Louis Cardinals are not a team normally looking to sell off major league pieces. However, after a few years of mediocrity and Chaim Bloom has taking over for John Mozeliak in the baseball operations department, the Cardinals could be in prime position to begin a rebuild. The big name to watch with St. Louis is veteran RHP Sonny Gray, and the Braves were just named as one of the teams most likely to trade for Gray this winter.
Braves listed alongside two other teams as the best trade fit for Sonny Gray
On Saturday night, MLB Trade Rumors spoke on nine different teams that could be a match for Sonny Gray this winter. The Braves were listed alongside the Giants and Orioles as the best fits for the Vandy alum. The soon to be 36 year-old pitcher has a full no-trade clause and is owed a ton of money over the next two seasons. Those are real hurdles, but not something that is presumed to deter Gray from being moved this offseason.
The Cardinals are reportedly open to eating some of the salary owed to players they could trade this winter, and if they are willing to help out enough with the $35 million Gray is owed then Anthopoulos should definitely be active in trying to land Gray. He also has a $30 million club option for 2027 that could be enticing.
Gray finished 2025 with a 4.28 ERA and 1.4 bWAR, but his peripherals suggested he was a much better pitcher. Gray led the National League in strikeout to walk ratio (5.29) and had a very respectable 3.39 FIP for the season. Additionally, Gray has been ultra durable making 92 starts over the last three seasons. The Braves have some exciting young arms waiting for a chance, but the dependable veteran starter was sorely missed last season and Gray could fill that role quite well.
Because of the money owed to Gray acquiring him should not command as much prospect capital as other cheaper frontline starters would. Again there are real hurdles with trading for Gray, but every update we get around the Cards suggest he will be dealt this winter. It's nice to see the Braves mentioned as one of the possible destinations for Gray, and perhaps after all these years of being linked to Atlanta, the trade market skies will open up for a Sonny day in the A.