As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the St. Louis Cardinals appear unlikely to move two of their veteran starting pitchers. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, both Sonny Gray and Miles Mikolas have no interest in waiving their full no-trade clauses, despite interest from other teams. Multiple clubs are reportedly eyeing both pitchers as potential additions, but for now, neither is expected to be on the move.
Gray and Mikolas have been central to the Cardinals’ recent success on the mound. As of Sunday, the team holds a 42-35 record and is tied for second place in the NL Central. Their starting rotation has played a major role in their turnaround after a slow start to the season. While the Cardinals had a strong run through May and early June, they’ve cooled slightly, winning six of their last ten games.
Both pitchers have delivered solid performances this year. Gray currently holds a 7-2 record with a 3.74 ERA, while Mikolas is 4-4 with a 4.35 ERA. Gray has emerged as the leader of the rotation, topping the team in wins, innings pitched, and strikeouts, with 90 strikeouts so far this season.
As a team, St. Louis ranks 18th in the league in ERA, posting a collective 3.94. That said, the stability provided by their rotation, particularly Gray, has helped keep the Cardinals in playoff contention as they pursue the division-leading Chicago Cubs. With their top pitchers showing no signs of leaving, the club’s starting staff should remain intact heading into the second half of the season.
Several playoff contenders, including the New York Yankees, are actively seeking starting pitching ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. But for Cardinals fans, the unwillingness of Gray and Mikolas to waive their no-trade clauses signals that the team’s rotation will likely remain unchanged. St. Louis faces the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday as they continue their push in the NL Central race.
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