Red Sox Acquire Sonny Gray for Game 2
The Red Sox have reportedly decided to bring in Sonny Gray as their pitcher for Game 2, marking his return after being absent last season.
Boston has brought in the former Yankees pitcher, as first reported by The Post’s Jon Heyman.
Gray, 36, has waived his no-trade clause to join the AL wild-card team. It seems he’s primed for a fresh start.
This season, he’s owed $35 million, with Boston set to cover $20 million. There’s also a mutual option worth $30 million for 2027, which includes a $5 million buyout, according to ESPN.
In exchange, St. Louis is receiving pitching prospect Brandon Clark and additional players, including former Yankee pitcher Richard Fitts, as confirmed by ESPN.
Last year, the Red Sox reached the postseason, but they struggled without a solid starter to support ace Garrett Crochet, which limited their playoff success.
They hesitated to use Brayan Bello in Game 2, instead opting for rookie Connelly Early, who was unavailable for the season, in Game 3 against the Yankees.
The Red Sox are aiming for stronger options as they prepare for next October’s series in what is a competitive AL East division.
Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow mentioned earlier this month that acquiring a reliable starting pitcher is crucial. He indicated that they’re looking for pitchers who can either complement Garrett or potentially slot in behind him during playoff games.
“We have a good handle on our overall starting pitching,” Breslow said. “But we’re not just looking to fill a spot; we need someone who can lead the rotation.”
Whether Gray will indeed start for Game 2 remains a question. He’s heading into his 36th year, but his experience as a reliable veteran could be an asset.
Over his 13 years in the league, Gray has had a generally solid career, except for a few rough patches in the Bronx. He has started 60 games over the past two seasons with St. Louis, sporting a 27-17 record and a 4.07 ERA.
Interestingly, his ERA might seem high, but his FIP, which reflects defensive contributions, was at 3.26, indicating his performance metrics were a bit above average.
He still has the ability to rack up strikeouts, recording 203 in 2023 and 201 the previous year.
Meanwhile, Boston is expected to pursue a big bat this offseason, especially with Alex Bregman opting out of his contract and becoming a free agent. Rumors are swirling that Mets star Pete Alonso might be a good fit for the team.
Additionally, catcher JT Realmuto has also been linked to the Red Sox.
For the Cardinals, this marks the beginning of a rebuilding phase under their new top baseball executive Chaim Bloom, who previously held a similar role in Boston.
There are also reports that outfielder Brendan Donovan might be on the move.
Clark, a promising prospect, is ranked as Boston’s No. 5 by MLB.com, while Fitts has made 11 starts over two seasons with the Red Sox since moving from the Alex Verdugo trade, with a 2-5 record and a 3.97 ERA.
