The St. Louis Cardinals won 83 games and improved their record by 12 wins over 2023. However, it was not good enough for them to reach the postseason.
Now, St. Louis looks prepared to enter a rebuild, which means they could be saying goodbye to a few players this coming offseason.
Cardinals insider Jeff Jones noted that ace Sonny Gray could be on his way out this winter in addition to players such as Ryan Helsley, Willson Contreras, and Nolan Arenado.
"Gray would perhaps be next in the pecking order, though he carries a price tag of at least $65 million guaranteed over the next two seasons," Jones wrote. "He also holds a no-trade clause and is likely to be persnickety about his potential destinations, given the emphasis he placed last winter on being close to his Tennessee home."
Gray signed in St. Louis for three years and $75 million. If the Cardinals are planning to dump salary this coming offseason, then Gray could be on the list of players they try to trade as they prepare for their rebuild.
The veteran right-hander is from Smyrna, Tennessee, and chose St. Louis as a means to be closer to home. Perhaps he could use his no-trade clause to stay in St. Louis.
At the same time, the Cardinals are unlikely to be a strong contender next season, which could influence Gray to ask for a trade. The Cardinals could receive a massive haul for him.
It will be interesting to see what St. Louis decides to do with the 34-year-old right-hander and what they can get in return if they do trade him.
More MLB: Cardinals' cornerstones likely to be traded this winter, per insider
