In 2025, the Red Sox’s downfall in the wild-card round against the Yankees wasn’t due to a lack of starting pitchers but rather an offense that froze at a critical moment. Despite a thrilling Game 1 victory with Garrett Crochet pitching, Boston’s hitters managed to score only a single run in the last 15 innings of the season. Meanwhile, their starters didn’t come through; Lucas Giolito’s late injury thrust Brayan Bello into Game 2, where he only managed seven outs, and rookie Connelly Earley lasted into the fourth inning of Game 3 but conceded four runs. Boston’s bullpen heroics kept the score close, but the team clearly wasn’t prepared to overcome either the Yankees or the eventual AL champion Blue Jays, and Red Sox leadership recognized this reality.
Team CEO Craig Breslow, when questioned about offseason priorities, emphasized starting pitching, specifically a pitcher who could reliably start alongside or behind Garrett Crochet in the playoffs. The Red Sox have recently made a move in that direction by acquiring veteran right-hander Sonny Gray from St. Louis in exchange for young pitchers Richard Fitts and Brandon Clark. Gray waived his no-trade clause to finalize the deal, with the Cardinals agreeing to cover $20 million of his contract. This adjustment means Gray will earn $31 million in 2026 with a $10 million buyout on his 2027 option, and Boston will pay roughly $21 million after deferrals.
Gray is a reliable arm, having pitched 531 innings since 2023—ranking 11th in MLB—with a consistent 3.63 ERA. He excels in limiting walks and striking out batters, ranking just behind a few elite pitchers like Brian Wu and Garrett Crochet in strikeout-to-walk ratio. Gray also pitched a complete game under 100 pitches last season, a rare feat for pitchers his age, proving he’s far from fading. However, concerns remain as his fastball velocity dropped to 92 mph, placing him in the 16th percentile league-wide, and his four-seamer was vulnerable, resulting in a .585 opponent slugging percentage.
Gray primarily pitches to right-handed hitters with offspeed pitches, reflecting diminished fastball power. This approach aligns well with Boston’s strategy to emphasize offspeed pitches, and Gray is expected to rely more on his curveball and sweeper in 2026. While the trade’s success hinges on how impactful Gray turns out to be, if he can be a solid No. 2 starter behind Crochet, the deal will be a major win. If he serves more as a middle-rotation workhorse, Boston may need to keep looking for frontline starters.
The Red Sox gave up valuable young talent to acquire Gray. Fitts, who had a tough 2025 but showed value as a relief pitcher or occasional starter and still has six years of control, holds promise. The real gem may be Clark, a high-upside left-handed pitcher with elite potential but issues with control and injuries. Clark’s elite strikeout rate paired with no home runs allowed makes him a high-risk, high-reward prospect, an ideal asset for the rebuilding Cardinals.
Financially, the $21 million owed to Gray poses a challenge for Boston, a team cautious about luxury tax implications. With hopes to retain Alex Bregman and pursue other aggressive roster upgrades, the financial burden of Gray’s contract might limit Boston’s ability to invest further in their starting rotation. Ultimately, while Gray will undoubtedly improve the Red Sox, the full impact of this trade will depend on how the rest of Boston’s offseason unfolds.
Fan Take: This trade highlights the ongoing battle teams face between acquiring proven veterans and developing young talent, a balancing act critical to playoff success. For baseball fans, it underscores how investments in starting pitching can shape a team’s postseason fate and influence the future trajectory of franchises.
