In a move that signals clear intent from the Boston Red Sox front office, president of baseball operations Craig Breslow has delivered on his mission to bolster the starting rotation behind Garrett Crochet. On Tuesday, Boston landed veteran right-hander Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals, a strategic acquisition that could reshape the team’s 2026 pitching landscape.
Gray’s Surface Numbers Mask a Promising Underbelly
According to reports, the Red Sox not only acquired Gray, but also received $20 million in cash considerations from St. Louis to help offset the veteran’s salary. In exchange, Boston parted ways with two pitching prospects: Richard Fitts and Brandon Clarke. Gray, who had a full no-trade clause, waived it to finalize the deal, a sign of mutual interest in this late-career chapter.
Gray, now 36, is coming off a challenging 2025 season. His 4.28 ERA and 1.234 WHIP over 180.2 innings suggested a decline at first glance, but a deeper dive tells a more optimistic story. His 3.39 FIP, which strips out defense and luck, shows Gray’s performance was stronger than the surface numbers suggest. A bloated .332 BABIP against him (well above league average) suggests bad luck played a role. He still struck out over 200 batters and walked fewer than 40, elite-level control by any measure. In Boston, a rebound season could be in play, particularly under the guidance of a revamped analytics department and in front of what should be an improved defense.
St. Louis Bets on Youth and High-Octane Stuff
The Cardinals, meanwhile, acquire depth and upside. Richard Fitts, though plagued by injuries in 2025, remains a capable arm with back-of-the-rotation potential. He posted a 5.00 ERA over 45 major league innings last year, showing flashes but lacking consistency. His minor league numbers, including a 4.00 ERA over 27 Triple-A innings, suggest there’s still room for development.
But the real prize for St. Louis is 22-year-old Brandon Clarke. Ranked fifth among Red Sox prospects, Clarke brings an electric arsenal headlined by a fastball that regularly touches 99 and a biting slider that has already drawn comparisons to some of the game’s best. While command remains a hurdle with 27 walks over 38 innings in 2025, the raw tools are undeniable. If his command sharpens, Clarke could stay on a starter’s trajectory. If not, he might be fast-tracked as a bullpen weapon with wipeout potential.
Boston Red Sox Signals “Win Now” Mode
The Red Sox have clearly prioritized present-day competitiveness, signaling they believe the window to contend is open now, not later. Gray isn’t a long-term asset, but he is the kind of steadying force Boston sorely needed after a rotation that underperformed last season. For the Cardinals, it’s a calculated shift toward younger, controllable arms with upside.
One deal, two timelines, and a whole lot riding on whether Sonny Gray’s 2026 looks more like his FIP than his ERA.
