St. Louis Cardinals trade Sonny Gray

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded starting pitcher Sonny Gray, and $20 million to the Boston Red Sox for starting pitcher Richard Fitts starting pitcher Brandon Clarke, and a player to be named later or cash considerations. Gray, 36, was 14-8 with a 4.28 ERA, 32 games, 32 starts, 180.2 innings, 201 strikeouts, 38 walks, and a whip of 1.23 in 2025.

Gray has been an All-Star 3 times: (2015, 2019. and 2023). 

Gray had his best season in 2014, with the Oakland Athletics. That season, Gray was 14-10 with a 3.08 ERA, 33 games, 33 starts, 2 complete games, 2 shutouts, 219 innings, 183 strikeouts, 74 walks, and a whip of 1.85. The wins, games, starts, shutouts, and innings were all career highs for Gray. 

In 2015, Gray had a career high (3) complete games. 

Gray had a career high (205) strikeouts in 2019, with the Cincinnati Reds. 

In 2023, with the Minnesota Twins, Gray was the AL Cy Young runner-up. 

Overall, Gray has played 13 MLB seasons. Gray is 125-102 with a 3.58 ERA, 339 games, 330 starts, 7 complete games, 5 shutouts, 1,918 innings, 1,925 strikeouts, 621 walks, and a whip of 1.20.

Fitts, 25, was 2-4 with a 5.00 ERA, 11 games, 10 starts, 45 innings, 40 strikeouts, 16 walks, and a whip of 1.31 in 2025. The wins, games, starts, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Fitts. 

In the minors, Fitts was 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA, 7 games, 7 starts, 30 innings, 27 strikeouts, 11 walks, and a whip of 1.37 combined between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worchester in 2025.

Fitts had his best season in 2023, with Double-A Somerset (affiliate of the New York Yankees). That season, Fitts was 11-5 with a 3.48 ERA, 27 games, 27 starts, 152.2 innings, 163 strikeouts, 43 walks, and a whip of 1.14. The wins, games, starts, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Fitts.

Overall, in the minors, Fitts has played 4 seasons. Fitts is 29-19 with a 3.74 ERA, 80 games, 79 starts, 411.1 innings, 432 strikeouts, 111 walks, and a whip of 1.15.

In the MLB, Fitts has played 2 seasons. Fitts is 2-5 with a 3.97 ERA, 15 games, 14 starts, 65.2 innings, 49 strikeouts, 23 walks, and a whip of 1.29.

Clarke, 22, was 0-3 with a 4.03 ERA, 14 games, 14 starts, 38 innings, 60 strikeouts, 27 walks, and a whip of 1.16 combined between Single-A Salem and High-A Greenville in 2025. 

It was Clarke's 1st minor league season. Clarke ranked as the Red Sox 5th best prospect. With the Cardinals, Clarke will be their no.7th best prospect. 

Clarke can also reach 100 mph on the radar gun. 

On paper the Cardinals upgraded their future pretty well with this trade. The Cardinals will now need to develop both Clarke and Fitts. Fitts even could earn a starting rotation job in 2026. Does Nolan Arenado get traded next? Chaim Bloom isn't scared to make trades.

St. Louis Cardinals re-sign Yohel Pozo

The St. Louis Cardinals have re-signed catcher Yohel Pozo to a 2026 MLB contract. Pozo's new contract is a split contract. That means if Pozo is in Triple-A Memphis, he'll be paid less than the MLB minimum. Pozo, 28, hit .231 with 16 runs, 37 hits, 8 doubles, 5 home runs, 19 RBI's, and 7 walks in 2025. The runs, hits, doubles, home runs, RBI's, and walks were all career highs for Pozo. 

Pozo ended up being a good pinch hitter for the Cardinals in limited time. As a pinch hitter in 22 games, Pozo hit .286 with 1 run, 6 hits, 2 doubles, 1 home run, and 7 RBI's. 

Overall, in his career as a pinch hitter, Pozo has had 23 at bats with 1 run, 7 hits, 3 doubles, 1 home run, 8 RBI's, and a .304 batting average.

Before being promoted to the Cardinals 40-man roster, Pozo hit .333 with 7 runs, 7 hits, 3 doubles, 2 home runs, 6 RBI's, and 1 stolen base in Triple-A Memphis in 2025. 

Overall, Pozo has played 2 MLB seasons. Pozo has played 88 games with 24 runs, 58 hits, 12 doubles, 6 home runs, 28 RBI's, 10 walks, and a .248 batting average. 

Overall, in the minors, Pozo has played 11 seasons. Pozo has played 758 games with 375 runs, 863 hits, 192 doubles, 9 triples, 89 home runs, 445 RBI's, 15 stolen bases, 134 walks, and a .297 batting average.

With Pozo re-signing with the Cardinals, it could mean someone from their current depth at catcher gets traded.

St. Louis Blues re-sign Cam Fowler

 

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed defensemen Cam Fowler to a three-year contract extension, worth $18.3 million. As part of the contract, Fowler also receives a full no-trade clause, which will become a modified no-trade clause that includes 15 teams on January 1, 2028. Fowler would have been a free agent after this season.

Fowler, 33, played 68 games with 9 goals, 31 assists, 40 points, and a plus 12 combined between the Anaheim Ducks and Blues in 2024-2025. Fowler struggled at the start of the season with the Ducks. After being traded, Fowler discovered new life. As a Blue, Fowler played 51 games with 9 goals, 27 assists, 36 points, and a plus 19. In the playoffs, Fowler played 7 games with 2 goals, 8 assists, 10 points, and a plus 2. Fowler has also helped make his defensive partner Colton Parayko into a better player.

Fowler had his best season in 2022-2023. That season, Fowler played 82 games with 10 goals, 38 assists, 48 points, and a -23. The assists and points were both career highs for Fowler.

In 2016-2017, Fowler had a career high (11) goals.

Overall, Fowler has played 15 NHL seasons. Fowler has played 1,042 games with 105 goals, 388 assists, 493 points, and a -110. In the playoffs, Fowler has played 69 games with 8 goals, 35 assists, 43 points, and plus 5. 

The contract extension is great for both sides. Fowler has loved playing in St. Louis since being traded. 

St. Louis Blues re-sign Nathan Walker

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed center Nathan Walker to a two-year contract extension, worth $1.775 million. Walker, 31, played 73 games with 8 goals, 8 assists, 16 points, and a -5 in 2024-2025. The games and points were both career highs for Walker. The goals tied a career high from 2021-2022 for Walker, and the assists tied a career high from 2022-2023. 

In 2017-2018, Walker helped the Washington Capitals win the Stanley Cup.

Overall, Walker has played 8 NHL seasons. Walker has played 229 games with 28 goals, 28 assists, and 56 points. In the playoffs, Walker has played 12 games with 3 goals, 2 assists, 5 points, and a plus 7.

It's great to see the Blues give Walker a contract extension. Walker is a hard worker and seems to improve more each season. Walker has developed into a good fourth line center for the Blues.
 

St. Louis Cardinals claim Jorge Alcala

The St. Louis Cardinals have claimed RHP Jorge Alcala off of waivers from the Boston Red Sox. Alcala, 30, is currently 0-2 with a 6.64 ERA, 41 games, 2 holds, 40.2 innings, 46 strikeouts, 23 walks, and a whip of 1.75 combined between the Minnestoa Twins and Red Sox in 2025. 

Alcala had his best season in 2021. That season, Alcala was 3-6 with a 3.92 ERA, 59 games, 11 holds, 1 save, 59.2 innings, 61 strikeouts, 13 walks, and a whip of 0.97. The games, save, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Alcala. 

In 2024, Alcala had career highs in both wins (4) and holds (16). 

Overall, Alcala is currently in his 7th MLB season. Alcala is 9-13 with a 4.24 ERA, 185 games, 31 holds, 1 save, 204 innings, 211 strikeouts, 77 walks, and a whip of 1.22. 

Alcala has pretty good swing and miss stuff and was a reliable reliever until this season. If Alcala were to do well for the Cardinals, they could keep him through arbitration for 2026. 
 

St. Louis Cardinals trade Phil Maton

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded RHP Phil Maton to the Texas Rangers for starting pitcher Mason Molina, RHP Skylar Hales, and international slot money. Maton, 32, is currently 1-3 with a 2.35 ERA, 40 games, 20 holds, 2 saves, 38.1 innings, 48 strikeouts, 15 walks, and a whip of 1.12. The holds are a career high for Maton. The ERA is currently a career best for Maton. 

Maton had his best season in 2021, combined between the Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros. That season, Maton was 6-0 with a 4.73 ERA, 65 games, 1 start, 5 holds, 66.2 innings, 85 strikeouts, 32 walks, and a whip of 1.46. The wins, games, starts, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Maton. Maton also helped the Astros win the World Series. 

In 2024, combined between the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Mets, Maton had a career high (3) saves.

Overall, Maton is currently in his 9th MLB season. Maton is 20-18 with a 4.01 ERA, 455 games, 1 start, 84 holds, 7 saves, 449.1 innings, 506 strikeouts, 175 walks, and a whip of 1.28. 

Molina, 22, is currently 3-5 with a 3.41 ERA, 18 games, 17 starts, 74 innings, 92 strikeouts, 28 walks, and a whip of 1.12 combined between Low-A Hickory and High-A Hub City in 2025. 

Molina ranked as the Rangers 27th best prospect. 

Overall, Molina is currently in his 2nd minor league season. Molina is 3-5 with a 3.19 ERA, 20 games, 19 starts, 79 innings, 98 strikeouts, 29 walks, and a whip of 1.11.

Hales, 23, is currently 1-5 with a 7.64 ERA, 34 games, 3 holds, 5 saves, 33 innings, 40 strikeouts, 14 walks, and a whip of 1.33 combined between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock in 2025. 

Hales had his best season in 2024, combined between High-A Hickory and Double-A Frisco. That season, Hales was 4-0 with a 3.18 ERA, 44 games, 8 holds, 10 saves, 56.2 innings, 66 strikeouts, 17 walks, and a whip of 1.15. The wins, games, holds, saves, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Hales. The ERA was also career best for Hales. 

Hales ranked as the Rangers 28th best prospect. 

Overall, Hales is currently in his 3rd minor league season. Hales is 5-6 with a 4.75 ERA, 85 games, 11 holds, 15 saves, 100.1 innings, 117 strikeouts, 33 walks, and a whip of 1.17.

The Rangers add a good bullpen arm in Maton. The Cardinals upgrade their farm system and get more pitching as they did in their trade with the New York Mets on Wednesday night. 

St. Louis Cardinals trade Steven Matz

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded LHP Steven Matz to the Boston Red Sox for first baseman/third baseman Blaze Jordan. Matz, 34, is currently 5-2 with a 3.44 ERA, 32 games, 2 starts, 7 holds, 1 save, 55 innings, 47 strikeouts, 9 walks, and a whip of 1.18. The holds and save are both career strikeouts for Matz. Left-handed hitters have hit .179 against Matz this season. 

Matz had his best season in 2021, with the Toronto Blue Jays. That season, Matz was 14-7 with a 3.82 ERA, 29 games, 29 starts, 150.2 innings, 144 strikeouts, 43 walks, and a whip of 1.33.

In 2018, with the New York Mets, Matz had a career high (30) starts. 

Matz had career highs in games (32), complete games (1), shutouts (1), innings (160.1), and strikeouts (153) in 2019. 

Overall, Matz is currently in is 11th MLB season. Matz is 60-62 with a 4.24 ERA, 225 games, 172 starts, 10 holds, 1 save, 982.2 innings, 928 strikeouts, 289 walks, and a whip of 1.32. 

Jordan, 22, is currently hitting .304 with 59 runs, 96 hits, 22 doubles, 1triple, 12 home runs, 61 RBI's, 3 stolen bases, and 33 walks combined between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester in 2025. 

Jordan had his best season in 2023, combined between High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland. That season, Jordan hit .296 with 67 runs, 141 hits, 32 doubles, 1 triple, 18 home runs, 86 RBI's, 2 stolen bases, and 40 walks. The runs, hits, doubles, home runs, and RBI's were all career highs for Jordan. 

In 2022, Jordan had career highs triples (3), stolen bases (5), and walks (48). 

Jordan ranked as the Red Sox 17th best prospect. 

Overall, Jordan is currently in his 5th minor league season. Jordan has played 446 games with 240 runs, 497 hits, 114 doubles, 7 triples, 55 home runs, 302 RBI's, 13 stolen bases, 147 walks, and a .290 batting average. 
 
The Red Sox get a good pitcher in Matz, who they can use in a swingman role if they want to. The Cardinals used Matz as a multi-inning setup man. In Jordan, the Cardinals get a potential power hitter, which was something they needed. 

If anyone wants to know something interesting: Jordan was drafted in 2020 under Chaim Bloom, who will replace John Mozeliak as president of baseball operations after this season.