St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray. Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

What a potential Sonny Gray trade could mean for the San Francisco Giants

By Curt Bishop | Last updated Sep 26, 2025 4:28 PM ET

After the St. Louis Cardinals were eliminated from postseason contention, starting pitcher Sonny Gray spoke with the media and discussed his future. His comments suggested that he may be willing to waive his no-trade clause.

"I have enjoyed my time (in St. Louis). I love the people. But I came here to win. I signed here two years ago with the expectation of winning and trying to win. That hasn’t played out that way," Gray said, per Katie Woo of The Athletic.

Earlier this month, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle proposed the idea of the San Francisco Giants potentially trading for Gray in the offseason if he decides to waive his no-trade clause.

Gray pitched six innings and allowed three runs against the Giants on Wednesday night. It is possible that the Giants could take a look at Gray this offseason as they try to bolster their roster for 2026.

What a Sonny Gray trade would mean for the Giants

Gray is owed $35 million in 2026, the final guaranteed year of his contract with St. Louis.

The Giants will have a hole to fill in their starting rotation, as Justin Verlander will be a free agent. Trading for Gray would not only allow them to fill that hole but also add a second top-level starting pitcher to go next to two-time All-Star ace Logan Webb, which could give them a significant advantage if they get to the postseason and have to face off against teams with strong starting rotations.

The Giants may have to pay down a significant portion of Gray's contract if they make this move, but he would significantly strengthen their starting rotation.

This could help the Giants potentially get closer to competing with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres in the NL West in 2026. Gray would also add some swing-and-miss capability to the rotation. Since the beginning of 2023, Webb and Gray are third and fourth in fWAR, with Webb posting a 14.6 mark and Gray a 12.8 mark.

Since the start of 2023, Logan Webb is 3rd among all pitchers with 14.6 fWAR. Sonny Gray is 4th in that category with 12.8 fWAR.
— Jeff Young (@BaseballJeff1) September 25, 2025

The 35-year-old right-hander went 14-8 with a 4.28 ERA in 32 starts with St. Louis this year, pitching 180 2/3 innings and recording 201 strikeouts.

If Gray were to join the Giants, he would reunite with his former manager, Bob Melvin. The veteran made his major league debut in 2013 with the Athletics while Melvin was the skipper, and he was with the team until 2017 when he was traded to the New York Yankees.

Curt Bishop

Curt Bishop is a freelance sportswriter who graduated from Maryville University of St. Louis with a Bachelor of Arts degree in the field of communication. Curt primarily covers Major League Baseball. Curt’s work includes covering trade and free agency predictions, as well as rumors and news.

More must-reads: