The Boston Red Sox have acquired Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals, as first reported by Jon Heyman. The Cardinals will receive the Red Sox No. 5 prospect, left-hander Brandon Clarke, righty Richard Fitts and a player to be named later.
The Red Sox will also receive $20 million from the Cardinals in the trade, first reported by Chris Cotillo. They are also restructuring the contract so Gray receives $31 million instead of $35 million in 2026. Additionally, Gray’s buyout of his $30 million mutual option for 2027 changed from $5 million to $10 million.
Sonny Gray
Gray, the AL Cy Young award runner-up in 2023, pitched to a 4.28 ERA and a 1.234 WHIP in 2025 with the Cardinals. He will provide the much-needed experience in the starting rotation for the Red Sox, as Lucas Giolito tests free agency. He also tossed 180 2/3 innings in 2025, and has been a consistent innings eater in the last several years.
Brandon Clarke
Clarke, the Red Sox No. 5 prospect, only made it as high as High–A Greenville in 2025 after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2024 Amateur Draft. He boasts a lethal fastball that touches triple digits, as well as a nasty slider. However, in Greenville, he posted a 5.08 ERA in 11 starts. He’s a bit more of a long-term project, as he’s not expected to come up to the majors until 2028. However, he boasts a ton of potential.
Fitts, a sixth-round pick to the New York Yankees in 2021, was packaged along with Greg Weissert for Alex Verdugo after the 2023 season. Fitts appeared in four games in 2024, notching a 1.74 ERA and 1.258 WHIP. His numbers took a dip in 2025 to the tune of a 5.00 ERA and a 1.311 WHIP.
Looking Ahead
Is this the biggest move the Red Sox make this offseason? Probably not. However, Gray should be a good depth piece in the rotation when Garrett Crochet isn’t on the bump.
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