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The Boston Red Sox strengthened their pitching rotation on Tuesday. When the 2026 MLB season opens, Sonny Gray will wear a Red Sox uniform instead of the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Cardinals agreed to trade the 36-year-old right-hander for pitcher Richard Fitts and 22-year-old left-handed prospect Brandon Clarke. St. Louis will also assume $20 million of Gray’s salary next season, according to multiple reports.
The Red Sox struggled with pitching depth behind ace Garrett Crochet last season. Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Gray helps fill a need the team has made clear it wants to address this offseason.
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Sonny Gray of the St. Louis Cardinals faces the Guardians at Progressive Field on June 27, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
“We’ve been pretty transparent about our desire to add to the rotation and our desire to add a stick,” Breslow said in a conference call with reporters. “I don’t think anyone wants to feel like they have to check multiple items off the shopping list and feel like they’re running out of time or options. … But we’re certainly happy with where we are right now.”
Gray joined the Cardinals in 2024. He went 14-8 and posted a 4.28 ERA last season.
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“When you think about what Sonny has been in this league, he’s a guy that’s at the top of the rotations,” Breslow added. “The things we think pitchers carry from year to year are things like strikeout rates and walk rates and the ability to stay out of the barrels. He excels there.”
Over a 13-year career with five teams, Gray is 125-102 with a 3.58 ERA.
Sonny Gray of the St. Louis Cardinals throws during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
When asked if Gray was the No. 2 starter the Red Sox were looking for, Breslow responded, “I don’t know how much sense it makes in November to put a number on a guy.”
Fitts went 2-4 with a 5.00 ERA as a rookie in Boston last season. Meanwhile, Clarke has only pitched in Class A and is rated the No. 5 prospect in the Red Sox system by MLB.com.
Sonny Gray of the Cardinals throws against the San Francisco Giants at Busch Stadium on September 7, 2025 in St Louis, Missouri. (Jeff Le/Getty Images)
Gray, who waived his no-trade clause, was guaranteed $40 million for the next two seasons. His contract was amended to guarantee him a $31 million salary for next year and a $30 million mutual option for 2027 with a $10 million buyout.
The Red Sox finished the 2025 season in third place in the American League East. The team finished the year with an 89-73 record and clinched their first playoff appearance since 2021. The Cardinals failed to make the playoffs last season.
