Red Sox Acquire Sonny Gray from Cardinals

On Tuesday, the Boston Red Sox made a significant move to enhance their pitching rotation by trading for Sonny Gray. As the 2026 MLB season approaches, Gray will be seen in a Red Sox uniform rather than with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The deal involves the 36-year-old right-handed pitcher being exchanged for Richard Fitts and 22-year-old left-handed prospect Brandon Clark. Reports indicate that the Cardinals will also be covering Gray’s $20 million salary for the upcoming season.

Last year, the Red Sox faced challenges with their pitching depth behind their ace, Garrett Crochet. Craig Breslow, the Red Sox’s chief baseball officer, noted that acquiring Gray addresses a clear need the team expressed during the offseason.

“We’ve been pretty transparent about our desire to increase our rotation and add bats,” Breslow mentioned during a conference call. “I don’t think anyone wants to be in a position where they feel rushed or limited with their options. But, we’re happy with where we are today.”

Gray is joining the Cardinals after finishing last season with a record of 14 wins and 8 losses, accompanied by a 4.28 ERA.

Breslow described Gray as a pitcher who has consistently performed at the forefront of rotations. “When you think about Gray, he has a solid history in the league. He’s effective in strikeout rates, controlling walks, and keeping pitches out of the barrel,” he added.

In his 13-year career, spanning five teams, Gray holds a 125-102 record and a 3.58 ERA.

When asked if Gray is the exact No. 2 starting pitcher the Red Sox had been seeking, Breslow said, “I don’t know how much it would make sense to put a number on Gray in November.”

Fitts, who had a rookie season with a record of 2-4 and a 5.00 ERA, will be part of the trade, while Clark remains yet to pitch beyond Class A and is listed as the No. 5 prospect in the Red Sox system by MLB.com.

Gray, who waived his no-trade clause to facilitate this deal, is set to earn a guaranteed $40 million over the next two seasons, with his contract adjusted to ensure a $31 million annual salary for next year and a $30 million mutual option in 2027, which includes a $10 million buyout.

In 2025, the Red Sox ended the season in third place in the American League East, achieving 89 wins and 73 losses, which secured their first postseason appearance since 2021. Meanwhile, the Cardinals did not qualify for the playoffs last season.