Dodgers Could Acquire $90 Million Pitcher From Cardinals Under This Framework
The Los Angeles Dodgers know they need to add another starting pitcher. With Shohei Ohtani being slowly reintegrated into pitching, there’s a good chance the Dodgers start 2025 with a six-man rotation.
Roki Sasaki is their top choice to fill the void, but what if Sasaki signs elsewhere? There are still some options in free agency, but the Dodgers could choose to explore the trade market. The St. Louis Cardinals are looking for other ways to shed payroll with Nolan Arenado likely staying in St. Louis.
However, they could send Sonny Gray out west. Gray spent all of the 2024 season with St. Louis. He made 34 starts and recorded a 3.84 ERA with 11 strikeouts per nine innings. Gray has shown his ability to pitch well over multiple seasons after some struggles with the New York Yankees.
Here is what a potential trade could look like: Dodgers acquire: SP Sonny Gray Cardinals acquire: RHP River Ryan (Dodgers No. 5 prospect), RHP Nick Frasso (Dodgers No. 12 prospect) Giving up Ryan would be a tough pill for the Dodgers to swallow, but his path to the big leagues is blocked right now. Staying in Triple-A does him no favors, and the Cardinals could have him on their Opening Day roster.
Frasso will more than likely start the season at Triple-A.
Gray goes into the 2025 season with two guaranteed years of control followed by a club option in 2027. The three years average $30 million per year for Gray which may seem steep, but the Dodgers are one of few teams who can afford it.
Dodgers exchange arbitration salaries with Alex Vesia
Left-hander files at reported $2.35 million, with team countering at $2.05 million. LA hasn’t had an arbitration hearing since 2020.
The Dodgers were unable to reach a contract with with reliever Alex Vesia on Thursday, and instead exchanged salary figures with the left-hander, potentially setting the stage for an arbitration hearing.
Earlier Thursday, the Dodgers reached one-year contracts for 2025 with relievers Michael Kopech ($5.2 million), Evan Phillips ($6.1 million), Brusdar Graterol ($2.8 million), and Anthony Banda ($1 million). That leaves Vesia as the team’s only unsigned arbitration-eligible player.
Vesia has four years, 78 days of major league service time, and is eligible for salary arbitration for the second time. He earned $1 million last year.
