Padres make gutsy move for Twins’ 3x All-Star in trade pairing

The San Diego Padres have a fearsome rotation, but a recent mock trade takes it to another level.

Padres linked to Cardinals ace Sonny Gray in trade projection

CBS Sports’ Matt Snyder envisioned St. Louis Cardinals ace Sonny Gray as a quintessential trade target for San Diego to pursue (h/t Eva Geitheim of San Diego Padres on SI).

Gray is cut from the same cloth as Padres stars Dylan Cease & Michael King

Year in and year out, Gray rises to the occasion as a premier pitcher in the Majors. Last season was no different. The 35-year-old went 13-9 for the Cardinals. He boasted a 3.84 ERA and clean 1.088 WHIP. The latter was his lowest WHIP since 2019. Gray accompanied his efficient body of work with a blistering 203 strikeouts.

The Padres could use a talent of his caliber on their roster. They already have two sub-4.00 ERA and 200-plus strikeouts artists in ace Dylan Cease and reigning All-MLB Second Team honoree Michael King headlining their unit. Gray would be an optimal No. 2 or No. 3 option for the Padres to roll within 2025, and could even assert himself as their lead man.

San Diego would need to consider Gray’s sizable salary

Financially, the Tennessee native is approaching the second year of his current three-year, $75 million deal. He’ll earn $25 million in 2025 and will be slated for a $30 million club option in 2027. Thus, San Diego would have to consider whether moving one of their more sizable contracts to solidify their rotation is a top priority or not.

READ MORE: Padres Suffer Big Loss After Jackson Merrill Loses Rookie of the Year Award

San Diego Padres star center fielder Jackson Merrill lost out on the National League Rookie of the Year award to Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes. Merrill finished as the runner-up for the award, which has in turn cost the Padres a chance at a draft pick. Had Merrill won the award, the Padres would have earned an extra first-round pick as part of the Prospect Promotion Incentive program.

Merrill put together an outstanding rookie season. He moved from shortstop to center field prior to the 2024 season, and debuted at the age of 20. Throughout his rookie campaign, Merrill consistently impressed and emerged as one of the best players on the Padres during their playoff run.

More Padres News: 2 Former Padres Make 2025 Hall of Fame Ballot for First Time

Merrill slashed .292/.326/.500 with 162 hits, 77 runs, 24 home runs, and 90 RBIs as a rookie, setting the franchise rookie RBI record. He led the Padres in doubles, triples, slug rate, and wins above replacement. Merrill won the NL Rookie of the Month award in both June and August, and provided clutch plays and home runs for the Padres on multiple occasions.