The New York Mets will begin the regular season facing a significant challenge, as two of their key starting pitchers, Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea, will be unavailable due to injuries. Losing two top-of-the-rotation arms is far from ideal for a team looking to compete at the highest level. Under the leadership of owner Steve Cohen, the Mets have consistently demonstrated a willingness to invest in star players to bolster their roster, regardless of financial cost.
In light of their current predicament, FanSided’s Zach Pressnell has suggested a potential trade that could help the Mets strengthen their rotation. His proposal involves acquiring veteran right-hander Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals. The trade package would see the Mets sending right-handed pitcher Nolan McLean (their No. 5 prospect) and outfielder Drew Gilbert (their No. 11 prospect) to St. Louis in exchange for Gray.
Why the Cardinals Might Be Willing to Move Gray
According to Pressnell, St. Louis could be an ideal trade partner for the Mets. The Cardinals are reportedly in the midst of retooling their roster and might be willing to part ways with Gray as they look to build for the future. Given that Gray has been one of the more consistent pitchers in the league over the past few seasons, any trade for him would require a significant investment from the Mets. However, acquiring Gray would still be a more cost-effective option than pursuing elite pitchers such as Sandy Alcántara or Dylan Cease.
Gray, a three-time All-Star, signed a three-year, $75 million contract with St. Louis ahead of the 2024 season. Despite posting a 3.84 ERA last season, he has demonstrated elite-level performance in the past, including a 2.79 ERA in 32 starts during the 2022 season. Over his last 84 starts, Gray has maintained an impressive 3.24 ERA, highlighting his reliability as a front-line starter.
Weighing the Cost: Should the Mets Pay the Price?
While parting ways with two top-30 prospects—**McLean and Gilbert—**would be a steep price to pay, the Mets would be acquiring a proven ace to help stabilize their rotation. Pressnell argues that this trade would allow the Mets to land a high-quality starter without giving up prospects who are already on track to reach the major leagues in the near future.
From the Cardinals’ perspective, this deal would serve two key purposes:
Financial flexibility: Trading Gray would clear salary space for St. Louis, as the veteran is under contract for two more seasons, with a $30 million club option for 2027.
Building for the future: Acquiring two talented young prospects would allow the Cardinals to inject more youth into their system while moving on from Gray as they shift focus toward long-term roster development.
A Potentially Transformative Move for the Mets
If the Mets were to pull off this trade, their rotation could become significantly stronger once fully healthy. Adding Sonny Gray to a staff that already includes Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas, and Clay Holmes would give them one of the more formidable starting units in the league.
For a team looking to stay competitive and make a deep postseason run, acquiring Gray could be the kind of move that helps solidify their pitching staff—especially as they deal with injuries early in the season. While there are no guarantees that the Mets will pursue this specific trade, the idea of landing a top-tier starter without surrendering their best young assets could be an enticing opportunity for the front office to consider.
Mets Blockbuster Trade Pitch Would Save Add $75 Million Ace to New York Rotation
