Keep Sonny Gray as the Staff Ace
The Cardinals finally addressed their rotation issues by signing Sonny Gray to a three-year, $75 million deal, but rumors suggest they may trade him to reduce payroll. This would be a mistake. Gray's 2024 performance (3.84 ERA, 3.12 FIP) proved he's still a reliable top-of-the-rotation arm. Trading him would dismantle the progress they've made in solidifying their pitching.
The Cardinals finished 20th in ERA (4.33) and 23rd in opponent batting average (.249), so Gray’s presence is vital. Instead of cutting costs, they should focus on strengthening their rotation around Gray.
