The St. Louis Cardinals, now under the direction of former Red Sox executive Chaim Bloom, are signaling a clear shift towards rebuilding and shedding major contracts.1 This opens the trade floodgates, positioning the Boston Red Sox as a prime trade partner to acquire immediate impact veterans to compete in the AL East.
The Cardinals have an assortment of high-end and controllable assets that fill the Red Sox’s biggest needs: starting pitching and versatile infield depth.
Here is a breakdown of the Cardinals veterans the Red Sox are “keeping a close eye on”:
1. Starting Pitcher: Sonny Gray (High-End Need)
The Trade Candidate: Sonny Gray (RHP)2
Red Sox Fit: Front-line starting pitcher (No. 2 starter).3
Control/Salary: One year remaining (2026) at a hefty $35 million salary (plus a $5 million buyout for 2027), which the Cardinals are eager to move.4
Why the Red Sox are Interested:
- Track Record: Gray, despite a 4.28 ERA in 2025, has an excellent track record and high strikeout/low walk rates
His lower FIP (7$3.39$) suggests he was unlucky and could be due for a rebound.8 - Cost Control: While the salary is high, the Red Sox only commit to one year, maintaining financial flexibility for future offseasons.
- Bloom Factor: The Cardinals are actively seeking “fits” for Gray and are reportedly willing to include cash to facilitate a deal, making the price more palatable for Boston.9
2. Versatile Infielder: Brendan Donovan (High-Contact Need)
The Trade Candidate: Brendan Donovan (INF/OF)10
Red Sox Fit: Versatile infielder who hits for contact.
Control/Salary: Under team control via arbitration through 2027 (projected $5.4M in 2026).
Why the Red Sox are Interested:
- Strikeout Avoidance: Donovan rarely strikes out , an attribute the Red Sox desperately need to improve their league-average strikeout problem.12
- Defensive Versatility: He can play all over the infield (2B, 3B, SS) and the corner outfield spots, making him the ultimate utility piece to bridge the gap for prospects.
- Bloom’s Asset: As a cost-controlled asset, Donovan would command a strong prospect return, which Bloom is prioritizing. The Red Sox have the minor league depth (pitching and position players) to meet the demand.
3. Star Infielders: Nolan Arenado & Willson Contreras (High-Impact/High-Cost)
These two players present the highest upside but carry the most complexity due to their contract status and No-Trade Clauses (NTCs).
| Player | Position | Red Sox Need | Trade Complexity |
| Nolan Arenado (3B) | Third Base | Elite defense and power at a key position. | Has an NTC and a large contract; must waive NTC. Cardinals are actively seeking a fit and are willing to include cash. |
| Willson Contreras (1B/DH) | First Base/Power Bat | Proven power bat and consistent offense. | Has an NTC. While the Cardinals are listening, Contreras has a strong desire to stay in St. Louis and may be the least likely to waive his NTC. |
The Chaim Bloom Connection
The trade market between St. Louis and Boston is facilitated by a crucial link: Chaim Bloom, the Cardinals’ new President of Baseball Operations.13
- Bloom, as the former Red Sox CBO, has intimate knowledge of the current Red Sox farm system and knows the value of every prospect (including those he drafted, like Blaze Jordan, who the Red Sox previously traded to the Cardinals).14
- This familiarity is expected to accelerate trade discussions and help the Cardinals pinpoint exactly which prospects they want from Boston for their veterans.
The Red Sox’s offseason goal is clear: trade young outfielders (like Jarren Duran) for controllable starting pitching, and use their prospect depth to acquire veteran bats that fill positional gaps. The Cardinals are the perfect dance partner to execute this strategy.
Given the immediate need for a top starter, are you more interested in the latest rumors surrounding Sonny Gray to the Red Sox, or the more controllable versatility of Brendan Donovan?
