Red Sox Bolster Rotation with Sonny Gray Acquisition
The Boston Red Sox have finalized a significant move in the MLB market, acquiring the experienced right-handed pitcher Sonny Gray in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals. In the agreement, the Cardinals 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, agreed to waive his no-trade clause to join the Red Sox. Last season, the three-time All-Star posted a 14-8 record with a 4.28 ERA, not missing a start with St. Louis. 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 $10 million buyout. With Gray’s addition to the rotation, the Red Sox now have two of the five pitchers who have achieved at least 200 strikeouts in each of the last two seasons.The arrival of Gray provides Boston with significant depth in starting pitching for the 2026 season. Behind Crochet and Gray, are right-handers Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford, with several left-handed options for the back end of the rotation. Right-handed pitcher Hunter Dobbins suffered a torn ACL in July but is expected to return for spring training. Veteran Tanner Houck underwent Tommy John surgery in August and will miss most, if not all, of the 2026 season. Gray 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 a slider. In Class A, he pitched 38 innings, striking out 60 batters. 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.
Craig Breslow, Red Sox Chief of Baseball Operations
[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.
Chaim Bloom, President of Baseball Operations for the Cardinals
