The Los Angeles Dodgers recently won the World Series and have been connected to a trade for a top pitcher.
MLB insider Steve Adams of MLBTradeRumors.com has linked the Dodgers to a trade for St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray. Gray inked a three-year, $75 million contract with the Cardinals in November of 2023.
However, after only one season, Gray’s name has surfaced in trade talks, and Adams believes the Dodgers are a good fit.
As Adams notes, the Dodgers would not be the only team interested in Gray. The right-hander might help to stabilize the Los Angeles rotation, which has dealt with several injuries throughout the playoffs and regular season.
Gray, a three-time All-Star, concluded the season 13-9 with a 3.84 ERA in 166.1 innings.
Gray Holds A No-Trade Clause
Although Grays’ name has surfaced in trade rumors, the starting pitcher may not be traded this offseason.
Gray has a full no-trade clause, which requires him to authorize any transaction. However, Adams believes the right-hander would be willing to accept a trade to a contender such as the Dodgers.
“Gray has a complete no-trade clause. “That, combined with his backloaded contract, makes him a difficult player to move,” Adams noted. “Gray chose to sign with the Cardinals after much consideration. (He) hinted from the start of free agency that location was important and money was not his main objective. Gray, like Arenado, is a mid-30s veteran who signed with the Cardinals when the team was in win-now mode. Playing the final two (or three) seasons of his present contract on what appears to be a non-contending team may not be as appealing.”
Bob Nightengale of USA Today also stated that the Cardinals are willing to trade Gray.
“The St. Louis Cardinals plan to shop veteran starter Sonny Gray while reducing payroll,” Nightengale said.
Gray joined the Cardinals to battle for a playoff spot. However, St. Louis did not make the playoffs last season and appears to be a marginal playoff team in 2025.
Where Does Gray Fit in With the Dodgers?
Last season, the Dodgers rotation suffered injuries, forcing Los Angeles to play bullpen games numerous times in the postseason.
If Los Angeles trades for Gray, he might be a mid-rotation starter for the Dodgers.
In 2025, Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto appear to be the team’s top two starters. Gray could become the team’s third starter, ahead of Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, and Dustin May. He also provides much-needed insurance for the rotation in case the players do not recover from their ailments as expected.
