Speaking on the newest edition of 'Cardinals Territory,' former St. Louis Cardinals players Lance Lynn and Matt Holliday gave their reactions to the massive trade of Sonny Gray from earlier this week.

Gray was dealt to the Boston Red Sox for right-handed pitcher Richard Fitts and left-handed pitching prospect Brandon Clarke. 

On the show, Holliday insinuated that the Cardinals must have felt very good about the return considering they sent $20 million to Boston as part of the Gray deal.

That is an important point, and something that we've been saying for weeks: If the Cardinals were to trade Gray or Nolan Arenado, they could acquire a better prospect if they were to include more money in the trade. That's exactly what they did. Clarke was the No. 5 prospect in the Boston organization, according to MLB Pipeline.

Lynn said that he feels that Clarke is a high-upside lefty, but noted his control issues in the minor leagues. He struck out a whopping 60 batters in 38.0 innings this past season at Single-A and High-A, but he walked 27 batters.

As for Fitts, he's already made his major league debut, appearing in parts of two seasons. He ended this season on the injured list with a right elbow problem, but he figures to be a part of the starting rotation in 2026, perhaps even as early as Opening Day.

About Matt Holliday

A seven-time All-Star, Holliday spent 15 years in the big leagues with the Cardinals, Colorado Rockies, New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics. A lifetime .299 hitter, he blasted 316 home runs and drove in 1,220 runs. He was a four-time All-Star with the Cardinals and helped them win the World Series in 2011.

He's a member of the Cardinals Hall of Fame.

Also a former batting champion and a four-time Silver Slugger, Holliday led the Rockies to their only World Series appearance in 2007.

He's the father of current Baltimore Orioles infielder Jackson Holliday, who is one of the most highly-regarded young players in baseball.

About Lance Lynn

A 13-year veteran of the Cardinals, Minnesota Twins, Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers, Lynn also spent seven years in St. Louis, helping them win the 2011 World Series. He was 143-99 lifetime with a 3.74 ERA, and he won 79 of those games with St. Louis over his seven seasons. A durable starter, he threw nearly 1,100 innings with St. Louis.

He was a two-time All-Star who stopped playing after 2024.

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