MLB Trade Rumors: Top 3 Destinations For Sonny Gray

We learned this week that St. Louis Cardinals veteran starter Sonny Gray is ready to waive his no-trade clause this offseason and accept a move to a contender. 

Solid rotation arms are always a hot commodity, whether on the free agent market or the trade market, so despite the fact he'll be turning 36 this winter, Gray will be in demand. He has just one year remaining on his contract (though it is for a hefty $35 million).

Let's take a look at the top 3 destinations for Sonny Gray if the Cardinals pull the trigger on a trade:

Toronto Blue Jays

Even aside from the fact that the Jays' starting rotation has hit some major bumps in the road going down the stretch, the fact is that three-fifths of their rotation are hitting free agency this offseason. Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt and Shane Bieber (if he opts out of his $16M option, which is almost certain at this point) could all be hitting the road. 

Toronto will need to fill some of that void, and a one-year commitment to a two-time All-Star who's still pretty close to the top of his game seems like a good bet. 

Atlanta Braves

After a season of extensive injuries to their rotation, the Braves will want to bulk up in that area for 2026. With Gray growing up just over three hours from the ATL, this is a team that he'd likely waive his no-trade clause for. 

Atlanta has already made a move that they hope will bolster their rotation for next season, claiming a former All-Star starter. But at this point, it's a crap shoot, while Gray is as consistent as they come. 

San Francisco Giants

Buster Posey has been bold in re-making the Giants since taking over, and it doesn't seem like a big contract scares him off. They've made a couple of big additions on the hitting side over the past couple of years (Rafael Devers and Willy Adames), so adding a solid starter should be next on his to-do list. And Giants manager Bob Melvin was Gray's bossman in his first four seasons in the majors with the Oakland A's a decade ago, when he first established himself as an All-Star.

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