Red Sox Acquire Pitcher Sonny Gray in Trade with Cardinals, Receiving Positive Grades from Experts
The Boston Red Sox bolstered their starting rotation Tuesday, acquiring veteran right-hander Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals will cover approximately half of Gray’s remaining salary. Boston sent right-handed pitching prospects Zach Fitts and Sem Robberse to St. Louis in the deal.
Analysts largely praised the Red Sox for their acquisition of Gray, a 36-year-old pitcher who provides immediate help as a No. 2 starter behind Garrett Crochet.The Red Sox were in need of rotation depth after their playoff shortcomings this season.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan gave the Red Sox an A- grade, noting the complementary needs of both teams. “The Red Sox are ready to win, and among their most glaring short-term needs…was a No. 2 starter. Gray fills that void, offering experience and strikeouts without issuing a ton of walks.He’s a rental, and not especially cheap even with the Cardinals covering roughly half of his salary, but he fits the moment.” Passan also highlighted the Red Sox’s improved pitching depth, allowing them to make the trade.
zack Meisel of The Athletic assigned a B+ grade, stating Gray is a “solid-underrated-starter for a long time.” He added that the financial arrangement, with the Cardinals covering $20 million of Gray’s contract, allows the red Sox to remain active in free agency. Meisel noted the Red Sox didn’t sacrifice key prospects, as Fitts’ departure is manageable given their pitching depth, and Clarke is an intriguing developmental arm.
CBS Sports also awarded the Red Sox an A, emphasizing the team’s ability to add a quality starter while maintaining financial flexibility. CBS noted Gray’s career statistics,including a 117 ERA+,a 3.10 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and over 33 Wins Above Replacement across 13 seasons. They also pointed to improvements in Gray’s exit velocity and walk rate in 2023, suggesting his inflated ERA last year wasn’t a major concern.
