In stark contrast to one another, the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres find themselves on divergent trajectories as they head into the 2025 season. While the Cardinals wrapped up the 2024 campaign with 83 wins, securing a tie for second in the competitive NL Central, their efforts fell short of clinching a coveted playoff spot. In contrast, the Padres not only snatched a Wild Card berth but also came within a heartbeat of ousting the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers during the National League Division Series.
However, the Padres aim to enhance their roster by pursuing additional starting pitching, which opens the door for potential trades with the Cardinals. Given that St. Louis appears eager to offload some players as they embark on a quick rebuilding phase, the two teams may find themselves as ideal trade partners in the near future.
CBS Sports’ Matt Snyder has put forth the suggestion that San Diego should consider negotiating for Cardinals’ ace Sonny Gray, who remains a pivotal figure in their pitching roster.
Gray recently signed a lucrative three-year, $75 million deal prior to the 2024 season, with payment structures of $25 million in 2025 and $35 million in 2026. Notably, this contract also includes a $30 million club option for 2027, which could be an enticing element for trade negotiations.
A.J. Preller, the Padres’ president of baseball operations, has a well-documented history of taking on hefty contracts, yet, according to Snyder, St. Louis might need to absorb a portion of the salary owed to Gray for any trade to materialize effectively.
Despite not topping the statistical charts during his career as a 12-year MLB veteran, Gray’s reliability as a starting pitcher is evident. He boasts an average of over 25 starts per season and a career ERA of 3.51, establishing him as a trustworthy asset that could significantly strengthen a rotation, especially in light of Joe Musgrove’s absence.
In his inaugural season with the Cardinals, Gray achieved 13 victories and maintained a 3.84 ERA. Despite facing two injuries that limited him to 166.1 innings pitched, he impressively delivered 203 strikeouts, enhancing the rotation’s swing-and-miss capability and underscoring his valuable contribution on the mound.
What are the key factors that could influence trade talks between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres this offseason?
**Interview with Matt Snyder, CBS Sports MLB Analyst**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Matt. The offseason has already brought some interesting narratives, especially concerning the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres. Can you give us an overview of their contrasting situations heading into the 2025 season?
**Matt Snyder:** Absolutely! It’s a fascinating juxtaposition. The Cardinals finished the 2024 season with 83 wins, which is solid but ultimately left them on the outside looking in for the playoffs. They’re now entering a rebuilding phase and are keen to offload some players. On the other hand, the Padres not only secured a Wild Card spot but were also quite competitive in the playoffs, nearly defeating the Dodgers. They’re looking to build on that success and improve their roster, particularly in starting pitching.
**Editor:** It seems like there might be some potential for trades between these two teams given their current positions. What kind of players do you think the Padres might pursue from the Cardinals?
**Matt Snyder:** Exactly! The Cardinals are open to making moves as they rebuild. I could see the Padres targeting some of their starting pitchers or even some position players to deepen their roster. The Padres have the opportunity to enhance their rotation significantly, which could include players from St. Louis who are looking for a fresh start.
**Editor:** With the Padres looking to bolster their pitching staff, which pitchers do you think could be on their radar?
**Matt Snyder:** The Padres may be eyeing pitchers who are undervalued or simply need a change of scenery. Someone like Jack Flaherty could be an intriguing fit if he’s available. He has shown flashes of brilliance when healthy, and the Padres could potentially be interested in taking a risk on a guy like him to round out their rotation.
**Editor:** That makes sense, especially if the Cardinals are looking to reshape their future. How do you see the dynamic developing between these two organizations if they do engage in trade talks?
**Matt Snyder:** I think it could be very strategic for both teams. The Padres can capitalize on the Cardinals’ need to offload talent and fill their immediate gaps, while the Cardinals can benefit from potentially acquiring younger prospects or filling positions they need. This type of collaboration can shift the landscape of both franchises.
**Editor:** what should fans look for as these situations unfold in the coming months?
**Matt Snyder:** Fans should keep an eye on the trade rumors leading up to the season. Watch for any moves that could indicate a real shift in strategy for either team. The next few months will be crucial for both organizations as they prepare for what they hope will be successful seasons.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Matt! We appreciate your time and look forward to seeing how the offseason unfolds for the Cardinals and Padres.
**Matt Snyder:** My pleasure! Excited to see how everything plays out.