Breaking news: The Mets have Acquired an Infielder With The St. Louis Cardinals For $96 million in a Blockbuster Trade.
Before the 2025 MLB regular season starts, the New York Mets could utilize another starting pitcher. Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report doubts the Mets will make that trade prior to Opening Day. However, Miller said on February 27 that the Mets will acquire Sonny Gray, a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, at some time during the regular season.
Miller added, “It looks like the Mets will be in the market for arms this summer, but St. Louis might need to keep a good portion of that 2026/2027 money to get a good return for Gray.”
This spring, Gray will begin his 13th season in Major League Baseball, earning $96.58 million in his career.
In 2025, the 35-year-old is expected to earn $25 million. Additionally, he will receive a $35 million payout in 2026, followed by a $5 million club option in 2027.
Are the Mets looking to add a starting pitcher?
MLB expert Jon Heyman identified the Mets as one of six clubs still looking for starting pitching in a Bleacher Report video. However, Heyman went on to say that New York may not want to spend as much money this summer because they have already spent so much.
In light of this, Gray might not be the ideal choice. He will be less expensive, though, if you get him close to the MLB trade deadline.
Due to Frankie Montas’s significant lat injury, the Mets may be searching for starting pitchers. It may be early June before Montas returns.
The Mets rotation still has a lot of room to grow even without him. However, they are not very dependable.
Prior to Montas’ injury, the Mets’ rotation had a lot of potential, but it was also perhaps the team’s biggest uncertainty. On February 18, Danny Abriano of SNY stated, “With Montas out, the question mark regarding the starting staff gets bigger.”
The Reasons the Mets Might Target Sonny Gray
Gray is dependable at the age of 35, but he doesn’t have much upside. He pitched 13-9 last season with a 3.84 ERA, 1.088 WHIP, and 203 strikeouts in 166.1 innings.
He was selected to his third All-Star squad with the Minnesota Twins two years ago. Additionally, Gray was named an All-Star in 2015 with the Oakland Athletics and in 2019 with the Cincinnati Reds.
Over the last two seasons, Gray has tossed more than 160 frames each. With the exception of the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, he has also exceeded the 100-inning mark each season since 2014.
With Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea, and Clay Holmes in their rotation this season, the Mets have a lot of promise. However, none of them have started an entire MLB season. The Mets would benefit from Gray’s skills.
However, Montas’ recuperation from his injury may determine if Gray is a good match. New York may withdraw from the starting pitching market if Montas returns to full health in June.
Ideally, the Mets will add a starter to help bridge the gap until Montas returns.
If New York signs Gray months before the MLB trade deadline, he may be that. However, that would probably include the Mets agreeing to give Gray a larger portion of his 2025 salary.
The Mets could stick with their existing rotation to start the season and see how things work out. The club could feel greater pressure to sign Gray before Montas returns if the rotation falters early.
