The Boston Red Sox should extend Sonny Gray by the end of this season.
The reason why they haven't is the timing of it all. Right now, Gray is pitching superb baseball every fifth day. He has a 12-2 record with a 2.78 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 106 2/3 innings pitched. While record isn't the norm in the modern game anymore, given how dependent it is on getting run support, it's still a notable mention. Even though his FIP is around 3.70, as long as the defense is as solid as it's been, Gray shouldn't have any issue.
Gray has a mutual option with the team that's worth $30 million next season, and this is the big reason they should extend him. Being owed $30 million at his age is not ideal, and the Red Sox will need to free up some money in case of a possible impending lockout and upcoming free agency (whenever that may be).
They would have to mutually scrap the $30 million option and break it into three extra seasons. Doing the math, that would be only $10 million a season for three years. They should absolutely have a mutual option after his 2028 season, when he'll be turning 38 in November that year.
Red Sox should extend Sonny Gray after the trade deadline
According to Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam from MassLive, Sonny Gray is "definitely" interested in a contract extension with the Red Sox. However, they are looking to focus more on adding to the team than on talks right now, and they haven't approached him in talks just yet.
The best time to do it is after the deadline, not now. Wait until the middle of August, similar to when the Roman Anthony and Aroldis Chapman extensions took place. Barring a big fall off come that time, Gray will most certainly have earned that extension with the Red Sox.
While no reports indicate that Gray is willing to take on less salary in said extension, it wouldn't be surprising if he comes out with that soon. If there were any indications, Gray is a team player, a huge veteran influence in that clubhouse, and his modesty as a ballplayer is second to none. Plus, he's 36 years old, and he's made a lot of money over the course of his career. The one thing he hasn't won is a World Series Championship, and sometimes, making that sacrifice is what's best for the team.
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