SF Giants seen as a 'logical suitor' for ace Cardinals pitcher this offseason

The SF Giants have been connected to St. Louis Cardinals ace Sonny Gray for some time, so it does not come as a huge surprise that the Giants have been listed as a "logical suitor" for Gray this offseason.

MLB Trade Rumors has the Giants as one of the best fits for Gray and it is not hard to understand why. President of baseball operations Buster Posey has made no bones about the team's desire to focus on pitching this offseason. The team clearly needs more depth in both the rotation and the bullpen going into 2026.

SF Giants seen as a good fit for Cardinals ace Sonny Gray

With the Cardinals seeming likely to rebuild, Gray has expressed an openness to waive his no-trade clause so he can join another team. With Gray about to turn 36, it is understandable that he does not want to be part of a multi-year rebuild.

Gray would come at a steep financial cost for the Giants, so the Cardinals may have to pay down some of Gray's contract in order to get a deal done. If St. Louis agrees to do that though, they could potentially ask for another prospect in return.

There are several prospects the Giants should hold onto this offseason, but to get a trade done with St. Louis the Giants could move someone like Carson Whisenhunt in a potential trade package. He is the top pitching prospect in the organization, but it seems he still has work to do to become a big league starter. Perhaps it would be better for him to work on that in St. Louis rather than with the Giants who are trying to win now.

Gray would be a welcome addition to San Francisco's starting rotation. He had a 14-8 record in 32 starts in 2025 with a 4.28 ERA. The ERA is a little high but his 3.39 FIP suggests he may have had some bad luck.

Bringing him to the pitcher-friendly confines of Oracle Park with the cool Bay Area air that he grew accustomed to when he was with the Oakland A's should be a great fit.

The Giants will certainly survey the free agent market for starting pitching this offseason, but the team would be wise to explore trades as well. Reds ace Hunter Greene is another name being floated as a potential trade piece.

Gray makes a lot of sense for the Giants so do not be surprised if the make a play for the Cardinals ace this offseason.