Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals $75 Million Ace Tabbed Trade Target For Astros

The Cardinals and Astros may look to come together on a huge trade this season.
Zach Pressnell|
Apr 27, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Houston Astros hat and glove in the dugout during the second inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images
Apr 27, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Houston Astros hat and glove in the dugout during the second inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images | William Purnell-Imagn Images

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Houston AstrosSt. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals have been connected to a lot of different trade rumors this season.

Expiring players like Erick Fedde and Ryan Helsley have been tied to different trade rumors. Even players like infield prospect Thomas Saggese have been mentioned as potential trade chips, but they're not the only ones.

Zachary Howell of Clutch Points recently suggested the Cardinals could trade veteran starting pitcher Sonny Gray to the Houston Astros to help fix Houston's struggling rotation.

"Sonny Gray is an interesting name as the trade deadline gets closer. His 5-1 record is attractive, but his 4.06 ERA gives fans pause. His availability and value to the Cardinals could fluctuate drastically depending on their record," Howell wrote. "St. Louis has impressed in the NL Central division so far, but the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers are right behind them. All it would take is one slip and the Cardinals could go from second to fourth in the division in the span of two weeks.

"Gray is a serviceable replacement for Garcia in Espada’s rotation, but he would also be the third starter behind the Astros’ duo of Valdez and Brown. For Gray, that could be a good thing. This year, the 35-year-old was thrust into the spotlight as the Cardinals’ ace."

A potential Gray trade doesn't make much sense for the Cardinals. For one, they're competitive this season so trading one of their better starting pitchers wouldn't make much sense. But Gray's also on a long term deal that keeps him in St. Louis for a few seasons after this year.

To make this even more unlikely, Gray has a no-trade clause in his deal and has been vocal about wanting to stay with the Cardinals.

For the Astros, it would make sense to chase a pitcher like Gray, but this hypothetical deal doesn't make much sense at all.

More MLB: Cardinals Former Top Prospect Tabbed Trade Candidate

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Zach Pressnell
ZACH PRESSNELL

Zach Pressnell has experience covering all major US sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. He’s produced content for FanSided, Blog Red Machine, The Game Haus, Bethany College Athletics and the Bethany College online newspaper, He graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a degree in Communications and Media Arts, specializing in Sports Journalism. Pressnell was also a four-year member of the baseball team where he earned himself All-PAC recognition as a pitcher (and a cool Tommy John surgery scar). Now, Pressnell specializes in NFL and MLB coverage for Sports Illustrated’s “On SI” network among others. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding "St. Louis Cardinals On SI," please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org

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