Boston Red Sox Acquire Sonny Gray From St. Louis Cardinals

The Boston Red Sox have made their first big trade of the offseason, acquiring SP Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for two prospects. The Red Sox get the starting pitcher they desperately need, and he’ll pair alongside Garrett Crochet and Bryan Bello.

Red Sox Make a Splash

The Boston Red Sox have made a move. Per Jeff Passan, Boston acquired Sonny Gray and cash for LHP Brandon Clarke and RHP Richard Fitts. Gray posted a 4.28 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. Although inconsistent at times, he delivered a solid season and will try to build on that in Fenway at age 36. With declining velocity, it remains to be seen if he’ll depend more on his off-speed pitches.

Gray’s contract is now a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2026. He will receive $41 million for that one year: a $31 million salary for 2026, plus an additional $10 million as a buyout if the option is not exercised. Previously, Gray was set to earn $35 million for 2026 with a $5 million buyout on a $30 million club option for 2027. St. Louis will send Boston $20 million, so the Red Sox will pay Gray $21 million for the upcoming season.

In a limited sample, Gray has a 6.84 ERA at Fenway Park in 26.1 innings. He will slot into the top of Boston’s rotation, filling the spot vacated by Lucas Giolito’s free agency.

Cardinals Get a Nice Return

Fitts was acquired from the Yankees by the Red Sox as part of the Alex Verdugo trade and has huge potential. In forty-five innings, hitters posted a 32.8 chase% vs Fitts in 2025. He has six pitches in his arsenal: a fastball, slider, sweeper, curve, sinker, and changeup. 

The other prospect heading to the Cardinals is Clarke, who was the fifth-highest prospect in the Red Sox system. In 28 innings in High A, Clarke had a 5.08 ERA with a 1.41 WHIP. His fastball sits in the upper 90s, and his second-best pitch is his slider, which sits in the high 80s but can reach up to 91 miles per hour.

Looking to add more young talent, the Cardinals are off to a great start this offseason. Both Clarke and Fitts have a lot of potential and could be in their rotation in a few years. Fitts is closer than Clarke is and will likely contribute to the major league roster immediately. They have a lot more work to do, as they’re open to dealing a lot of their top hitters, including Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan.