Red Sox Bolster Rotation with Sonny Gray Acquisition
The Boston Red Sox have finalized a strategic move by acquiring veteran right-handed pitcher Sonny Gray in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals. This transfer promises to significantly strengthen the Red Sox’s starting rotation for the upcoming season. 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, who previously waived his no-trade clause, had an outstanding season last year, recording a 14-8 record with an ERA of 4.28. His experience and consistent performance make him a valuable addition to the Boston team. Gray’s contract was modified to guarantee him $41 million: a salary of $31 million for next year and a mutual option of $30 million for 2027 with a buyout of $10 million. With the addition of Gray, the Red Sox now have two pitchers who have managed to record at least 200 strikeouts in each of the last two seasons. Gray struck out 201 batters last season, after getting 203 in 2024. Red Sox’s chief baseball officer, Craig Breslow, had pointed out the need to strengthen the starting rotation as one of the team’s goals for the offseason. Gray’s arrival provides Boston with significant depth in starting pitching. The Red Sox rotation, now led by Garrett Crochet and Sonny Gray, features Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford, as well as several left-handed options for the back end of the rotation: Patrick Sandoval, Kyle Harrison, and rookies Payton Tolle and Connelly Early. Hunter Dobbins, who suffered an ACL injury in July, is expected to be back for spring training. Tanner Houck underwent Tommy John surgery in August and could miss a large part of the 2026 season.Although the Red Sox showed interest in Joe Ryan, among other trade targets, they opted for a short-term solution with Gray, who has played in the Major Leagues for 13 years and was an All-Star in 2023. Gray has a career record of 125-102 with an ERA of 3.58 in 330 starts.
Clarke, 22, has a fastball that can reach 100 mph, accompanied by an effective slider. In the season, he pitched 38 innings in Class A, 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.“We’ve been pretty transparent about our desire to add to the rotation, and our desire to add a bat,” Breslow told reporters on a conference call Tuesday.
Craig Breslow, Red Sox’s chief baseball officer
“[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.
Chaim Bloom, president of baseball operations for the Cardinals
