Red Sox Secure RHP Sonny Gray in Trade with Cardinals

The Boston Red Sox have recently strengthened their pitching rotation by acquiring right-handed pitcher Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals. This move was reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Details of the Trade

The Red Sox’s trading package includes left-handed pitcher Brandon Clarke and right-handed pitcher Richard Fitts, as reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Additionally, the Red Sox will receive financial compensation as part of the deal.

Sonny Gray, who possesses a full no-trade clause, opted to waive it to complete the transaction. As per Ken Rosenthal from The Athletic, Gray adjusted his contract to a one-year deal valued at $31 million for 2026, which includes a mutual option buyout of $10 million for the following year. Previously, he was scheduled to earn $35 million in 2026, along with a $5 million buyout on a $30 million option for 2027.

Gray’s Performance and Background

The 36-year-old exhibited strong performance in 2025 for the Cardinals, achieving a 4.28 ERA with a 1.234 WHIP and recording a 14-8 win-loss record over 32 starts. Notably, he led the National League with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 5.29. Gray, a three-time All-Star, signed with the Cardinals as a free agent in November 2023 on a three-year contract worth $75 million.

Hailing from Smyrna, Tennessee, Gray has accumulated a career ERA of 3.58 and a WHIP of 1.197 throughout his 13-season tenure in Major League Baseball, during which he has played for teams including the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins, and the Cardinals.

Impact on the Red Sox Rotation

Gray will join the Red Sox’s pitching lineup, which is led by AL Cy Young finalist Garrett Crochet. Other key pitchers include Brayan Bello, Connelly Early, and Payton Tolle.

Prospects Sent to the Cardinals

• Brandon Clarke: Ranked as the fifth prospect in the Red Sox system, Clarke, 22, recorded a 4.03 ERA in 14 starts between single-A and high-A. He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2024 MLB Draft.
• Richard Fitts: A seasoned depth option, the 25-year-old Fitts registered a 2-4 record along with a 5.00 ERA and a 1.311 WHIP over 11 appearances, including 10 starts in 2025.

This trade highlights the Red Sox’s commitment to enhancing their rotation as they move forward in the competitive landscape of Major League Baseball.