Blockbuster Deal For Former Yankee Could Be Move Needed To Turn Cardinals Season Around

What should the Cardinals do to improve the starting rotation?

The St. Louis Cardinals have gotten off to a historically bad start.

St. Louis entered the 2023 season with World Series aspirations and although the season hasn't started as it hoped for, the club still has plenty of talent and should be able to turn things around at some point. The Cardinals are 10-19 so far this season and currently are in last place in the National League Central.

The club's starting pitching has been their biggest issue so far this season but as we get closer to the Aug. 1 trade deadline, there's sure to be plenty of impressive pitchers available that could help. If St. Louis wants to compete this season, the club may need to make a major splash to get its rotation in working order. One player to keep an eye out for who could fit this description is Minnesota Twins ace Sonny Gray. 

Gray is a two-time All-Star -- most recently in 2019 -- and has been solid in recent years, but has taken his play to a new level to begin the 2023 season. The 33-year-old is 4-0 so far this season with a league-leading 0.77 ERA in six starts. Gray has struck out 41 batters while walking just 12 and is leading the league in ERA+ at 565. He may not be able to keep up this blistering pace, but he's certainly having a season for the ages so far. 

Minnesota currently is in first place in the American League Central at 17-12, but if they were to take a step back Gray could become available around the trade deadline. He will be a free agent at the end of the season so if the Twins aren't in playoff contention late in the summer, he realistically could be moved.

Gray has spent time with the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, and now the Twins throughout his 11-year career and always has been an above-average starter. He is the type of pitcher St. Louis needs to add to the mix to improve its floundering rotation and get things right. The Cardinals have plenty of talent on the roster, but until the rotation is addressed, they won't be able to go anywhere. Hopefully, St. Louis can add someone sooner rather than later. 

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