The Red Sox didn’t just want another starting pitcher; they needed one. With Garrett Crochet emerging as a bona fide ace and finishing second in the 2025 AL Cy Young voting, Boston’s front office had a clear directive: find a reliable, veteran arm to solidify the rotation behind him. They didn’t wait long. Just before Thanksgiving, they struck a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals to land right-hander Sonny Gray, and not just any right-hander, but a three-time All-Star with a little extra fire in his belly.
Gray’s Parting Shot at the Yankees Hits Home in Boston
Gray isn’t just bringing his curveball to Boston; he’s bringing a chip on his shoulder the size of the Bronx.
Now 36, Gray made headlines in his first week with the Red Sox by doing something you don’t often see in a press tour: he threw shade at the Yankees, with purpose and precision. “It’s easy to hate the Yankees,” Gray said, not mincing words. “It just wasn’t a good setup for my family and me,” he added, recalling his brief and bumpy time in New York, where he went 15-16 with a 4.51 ERA from 2017–18.
For Boston fans, those words landed like sweet music echoing through Fenway. There’s no faster way to endear yourself to Red Sox Nation than expressing your distaste for pinstripes, especially when it comes from someone who’s lived both sides of the rivalry. Gray’s willingness to waive his no-trade clause to join Boston was driven by more than competitive spirit. It was personal.
Command, Competitiveness, and a Veteran Edge
Gray is coming off a strong 2025 season with the Cardinals, logging 180.2 innings with 201 strikeouts, tied for 11th in the majors, and a National League-leading strikeout-to-walk ratio of 5.29. While his 4.28 ERA shows signs of wear, his command and competitiveness remain top-tier.
With Crochet leading the way and Gray slotting in as a high-end No. 2 or 3 starter, the Red Sox rotation suddenly looks dangerous. Last season, their starting staff posted the 12th-best ERA in baseball. With Gray on board, and more potential moves on the horizon, they’re aiming higher.
Red Sox Rotation Arms Up for a Blue Jays Showdown
And let’s not ignore the bigger picture. Boston has signaled it’s ready to spend. A big bat may be next as they look to close the gap on the reigning AL champs, the Blue Jays. But adding Gray wasn’t just about numbers; it was about attitude. He’s not just joining a rivalry; he’s embracing it.
In a division where the margins are razor-thin, fire matters. And Sonny Gray just turned the heat up in Boston.
