Red Sox Bolster Rotation with Sonny Gray Acquisition
The Boston Red Sox have finalized the acquisition of veteran right-handed pitcher Sonny Gray, coming from the St. Louis Cardinals, as announced on Tuesday.
In return, the Cardinals will receive left-handed prospect Brandon Clarke and right-handed pitcher Richard Fitts. In addition, Boston will contribute $20 million to cover Gray’s salary.
Gray, 36, waived his no-trade clause to leave the Cardinals. The three-time All-Star had a 14-8 record with a 4.28 ERA last season, without missing any starts for St. Louis.
Gray was guaranteed $40 million for the next two seasons: $35 million for 2026 and a $5 million buyout of a $30 million team option for 2027. His contract was amended to guarantee him $41 million: a $31 million salary for next year and a $30 million mutual option for 2027 with a $10 million buyout.
By pairing Gray with ace Garrett Crochet in the starting rotation, the Red Sox now have two of the five pitchers who recorded at least 200 strikeouts in each of the last two seasons. Gray struck out 201 batters last season after striking out 203 in 2024.
Red Sox baseball boss Craig Breslow had stated that adding a starting pitcher behind Crochet was one of the team’s goals for the offseason.
Gray has pitched in the Major Leagues for 13 years, and was selected for the All-Star team in 2023. He has a career record of 125-102 with an ERA of 3.58 in 330 starts.
Clarke, 22 years old and 6 feet 4 inches tall, possesses a fastball that can reach 100 mph, accompanied by an effective slider. He pitched 38 innings in Class A this season, striking out 60 batters, but giving up 27 walks, with an ERA of 4.03.
Fitts, who will turn 26 next month, had a 2-4 record with a 5.00 ERA in 10 starts for the Red Sox in his rookie season. He struck out 40 batters and allowed 11 home runs in 45 innings.
“Fitts has already begun his career in the Major Leagues, and with his power and willingness to attack the strike zone, he has the ability to start games at the highest level for many years,” said Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, who previously held that position with the Red Sox.
“Both have the potential to be part of our growing core for a long time.”
