With Opening Day fast approaching, one might assume the Baltimore Orioles and St. Louis Cardinals have wrapped up any major trade discussions.
However, that may not be the case—at least for the Cardinals.
All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado continues to be linked to the New York Yankees and Houston Astros, while veteran starters Sonny Gray, Miles Mikolas, and Steven Matz could all be on the move in the coming months.
Now would be an ideal time for the Orioles to explore acquiring Gray, particularly if the Cardinals are looking to speed up their rebuilding process.
Gray, a three-time All-Star, posted a 13-9 record with a 3.84 ERA across 28 starts last season, the first of a three-year, $75 million contract that also includes a team option for 2027.
Here’s a potential trade proposal that could benefit both teams:
Baltimore Orioles receive: Sonny Gray, P
St. Louis Cardinals receive: Dylan Beavers, OF; Brandon Young, P; Max Wagner, 3B; Peter Van Loon, P
While this may seem like a hefty return for St. Louis, it’s important to remember that they are on the brink of a rebuild. Meanwhile, the Orioles have legitimate World Series aspirations, competing in a division that includes the Yankees.
FanDuel Sportsbook lists Baltimore as +600 favorites to win the American League, behind only New York (+300).
The key piece in this deal is Beavers, the No. 33 overall pick in 2022, who hit .242 with 15 home runs, 54 RBI, and an impressive 31 stolen bases in 34 attempts last year. He also showcased his defensive versatility by playing all three outfield positions at Triple-A and is close to making his MLB debut.
Young, another Triple-A prospect, pitched to a 3.44 ERA in 20 games (18 starts) at Norfolk last season. While he’s unlikely to replace Gray immediately, the 26-year-old could earn a rotation spot in the near future.
Wagner, a second-round pick in 2022, struggled in Double-A last season, hitting just .109 in 19 games, but he remains a potential bounce-back candidate.
Van Loon, 26, had a strong first full season as a starter, posting a 2.66 ERA in 12 Double-A starts. He’s currently in Orioles camp as a non-roster invitee.
Giving up this much talent for a 35-year-old pitcher is certainly a gamble, but if the Orioles are serious about capturing their first World Series title in over four decades, it’s a risk worth considering.
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