Mutually beneficial Reds-Cardinals trade could rid Cincy of free agent mistake

Apparently the St. Louis Cardinals will be putting Sonny Gray on the trade block this offseason. The three-time All-Star signed a three-year, $75 million contract with the Cardinals just last winter, but St. Louis is reportedly looking to unload Gray's hefty salary ahead of the 2025 season.

The Cincinnati Reds are rumored to be one of the teams who'll be aggressively pursuing a trade for Gray this offseason. Cincinnati's starting staff began dropping like flies as the season waned, so it's not shocking to hear that the Reds would love to entertain a reunion with the normally reliable Gray. The 2023 AL Cy Young Award-finalist is also known to have great relationship with Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson.

But in order to pry Gray away from the Gateway City, the Reds would have to give the Cardinals something in return. Seeing as how Gray is still owed $60 million over the next two seasons, will be 35 years old next year, and posted a 4.59 ERA after the All-Star break, it's not as if St. Louis will be asking top-dollar in exchange fot Gray's services. And this is where the Reds could matchup rather well.

Could the Reds trade Jeimer Candelario to the Cardinals in exchange for Sonny Gray?

The Reds made a mistake last offseason signing Jeimer Candelario to a three-year, $45 million contract. Many Reds fans questioned the signing at the time, and though injuries to Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Matt McLain, combined with Noelvi Marte's 80-game suspension certainly had some rethinking their initial stance, as the season progressed, it was apparent that Cincinnati made an error in judgment.

Outside of a hot-streak during the month of June, Candelario was rather disappointing during his first season in Cincinnati. The former Detroit Tigers infielder finished with 20 home runs in just 112 games, but ended his 2024 campaign on the IL and played below-average defense all season.

So why would the Cardinals even be interested in trading for Candelario this offseason? For starters, it'll save them approximately $30 million. Gray is owed $60 million through 2026, while Candelario's contract calls for the infielder to make $15 million per season in 2025 and 2026. That's a big chunk of change St. Louis could save as they look to invest more heavily into their farm system.

Could Reds infielder Jeimer Candelario replace Paul Goldschmidt as the Cardinals first baseman?

There's also soon to be a vacancy at first base in St. Louis. Former NL MVP and seven-time All-Star Paul Goldschmidt is not expected to return to the Cardinals next season. According to Katie Woo of The Athletic (subscription required), after six seasons in St. Louis, the Cardinals and Goldschmidt are expected to part ways.

In order to get Gray's remaining salary off their books, the Cardinals would need to accept a mediocre prospect package in return (and probably add some cash to the deal as well), or take on another bad contract in return. The latter would be in play in this scenario, with the Cardinals taking on the remaining $30 million owed to Candelario.

Remember, Gray has a full no-trade clause attached to his contract, so he must approve any trade that St. Louis attempts to execute this offseason. Seeing as how the Reds and Gray almost came to terms on a deal last winter, there is likely a mutual desire for him to return to Cincinnati. Some other details, and perhaps some prospects, would need to be included, but this deal isn't as far-fetched as one might think.

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