The Sonny Gray trade marked the beginning of what most St. Louis Cardinals fans expect to be a three-step plan in rebuilding the roster this offseason.
The other two prongs, of course, are Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras. Both veterans have two years remaining on their contracts (plus a 2028 team option for Contreras), and as right-handed power bats who can play the corner infield, their trade markets are expected to heat up once the top free-agent options at first and third base go off the board.
While Arenado waits for Alex Bregman to choose his next home, Contreras already saw Pete Alonso get a huge five-year deal from the Baltimore Orioles.