Red Sox Bolster Rotation with Sonny Gray Acquisition
The Boston Red Sox have made a strategic move by acquiring veteran right-handed pitcher Sonny Gray in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals. In return, the Cardinals will receive left-handed prospect Brandon Clarke and right-handed pitcher Richard Fitts. In addition, the Red Sox will provide $20 million to cover part of Gray’s salary. Gray, 36, waived his no-trade clause to join the Red Sox. Last season, the three-time All-Star had a 14-8 record with a 4.28 ERA, demonstrating his consistency on the mound. Gray’s contract guarantees $41 million: $31 million for next year and a mutual option of $30 million for 2027, with a $10 million buyout. With the addition of Gray, the Red Sox now have two of the five pitchers who have recorded at least 200 strikeouts in each of the last two seasons. Red Sox baseball boss Craig Breslow had pointed out the importance of reinforcing the starting rotation, and the deal for Gray provides valuable pitching depth for the 2026 season. Behind Crochet and Gray, are Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford, along with several left-handed options to complete the rotation. Among them, Patrick Sandoval, Kyle Harrison and two rookies who played an important role last season, Payton Tolle and Connelly Early. Right-handed pitcher Hunter Dobbins, who suffered a torn ACL in July, is expected to be back for spring training. Tanner Houck, on the other hand, underwent Tommy John surgery in August and could miss a large part of the 2026 season.Although the Red Sox have shown interest in Joe Ryan, among other trade targets for the starting rotation, they opted for the short-term option with Gray, who has played in the Major Leagues for 13 years, being an All-Star in 2023. His career record is 125-102 with an ERA of 3.58 in 330 starts.
Breslow commented on the need to add to the rotation and offense. “I don’t think anyone wants to feel in the position of having to mark multiple items on the shopping list and feel like they’re running out of time or options. … But we certainly feel good about our current situation.” When asked if Gray was the number 2 starter the Red Sox were looking for, Breslow replied: “I don’t know how much sense it makes in November to give a guy a number.” Clarke, 22, has a fastball that can reach 100 mph, complemented by an effective slider. In the season, he pitched 38 innings in Class A, striking out 60 batters, but conceding 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. “Both have the potential to be part of our growing core for a long time.”
