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. The announcement marks a significant step in strengthening the roster for the upcoming MLB 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, 36, waived his no-trade clause to facilitate his departure from the Cardinals. Last season, the three-time All-Star recorded a 14-8 record with a 4.28 ERA, proving to be a consistent and reliable pitcher. 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 of the five pitchers who have achieved at least 200 strikeouts in each of the last two seasons. Gray struck out 201 batters last season, adding to the 203 of 2024. Craig Breslow, Red Sox’s chief of baseball operations, had pointed out the need to add a starting pitcher behind Garrett Crochet as one of the team’s goals for the offseason. Gray’s arrival provides Boston with greater depth in its starting pitching staff for 2026. Behind Crochet and Gray, the team has the rights to Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford, as well as left-handed options like Patrick Sandoval, Kyle Harrison and two rookies who had important performances, Payton Tolle and Connelly Early. Hunter Dobbins suffered an ACL tear in July and is expected back for spring training. Tanner Houck underwent Tommy John surgery in August and is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2026 season. Although the Red Sox had also shown interest in Minnesota’s right-handed pitcher, Joe Ryan, they opted for a short-term solution with Gray. The pitcher has had an outstanding career in the Major Leagues for 13 years and was selected for the All-Star in 2023. His career record is 125-102 with an ERA of 3.58 in 330 starts.Clarke, 22, has a fastball that can reach 100 mph, complemented by an effective slider. In the current 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.
Craig Breslow, Red Sox’s chief baseball officer
“Fitts has already begun his career in the major leagues, and with his power and his willingness to attack the strike zone, he has the ability to start games at the highest level for many years,” said Chaim Bloom.
Chaim Bloom, president of baseball operations for the Cardinals
