The Boston Red Sox have made their first big deal of the offseason, acquiring All-Star RHP Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for #5 prospect LHP Brandon Clarke and RHP Richard Fitts. Gray will be owed $35 million for 2026, but Boston will rework his contract, making it $31 million for the season, with a mutual option worth $10 million for 2027. The Cardinals are also sending over $20 million to cover the $40 million remaining on his two-year deal.
Gray is an intriguing acquisition, while at age 36, he had hit his stride and hasn't stopped doing so for seven consecutive years. Since 2019, he's struck out 1,136 batters while only walking 312 and maintaining an ERA of 3.51 and a 124 ERA+. The 2023 campaign with the Minnesota Twins was his best, having a 2.79 ERA with a league-leading 2.83 FIP and only a 0.4 HR/9. His strikeout numbers have been over 200 a season since 2024, maintaining a very well-established reputation as a strikeout pitcher.
Gray's Acquisition a Nice Pickup for Boston but Red Sox Need More
But the problem is, will he continue this at Fenway? There are many questions concerning what can happen to him, and this is where his age comes into play. Currently at 36 years old, he has only a short window for whatever he has left in the tank before he calls it quits. But, with a pitcher like him, Andrew Bailey is the perfect person to keep him in form.
The one problem with Sonny Gray last season was his fastball, which averaged only 92 MPH, and batters were teeing off, hitting a remarkable .370. However, his breaking pitches were what kept him in tow, mainly talking about his sweeper. It's been his wipeout pitch since his All-Star season in 2023, striking out over 100 batters each time.
His sinker and curveball have been great as well, and have been his big secondaries in his arsenal since his rookie 2013 season. His changeup has some issues, but if Bailey can change his grip on that pitch, he will no doubt become a true part of the Red Sox rotation.
Many think Gray is past his expiration date, but soon enough, they could be proven wrong. Regardless of him, the Red Sox still need another pitcher. This opens the door for so many opportunities to acquire pitchers like Joe Ryan, the man they presumably wanted all along. Adding Gray to the roster is a pure replacement for Lucas Giolito and nothing more. They still lack a true #2 in that rotation, and they will need to get another pitcher to solidify their staff. But Gray is a great start to an already exciting offseason.