boston red sox The experienced right-hander has acquired sonny gray in business with St. Louis CardinalsThis was announced on Tuesday.
In return, St. Louis gets left-handed prospect Brandon Clarke and right-handed Richard FittsBoston will also receive $20 million to help cover Gray’s salary, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan,
The 36-year-old Gray waived his no-trade clause to leave the Cardinals. The three-time All-Star went 14-8 with a 4.28 ERA last season while not missing a start for St. Louis.
He was guaranteed $40 million for the next two seasons: $35 million for 2026 and $30 million for 2027 with a $5 million buyout for the team option. His contract was changed to guarantee $41 million: a $31 million salary for next year and a $30 million mutual option for 2027 with a $10 million buyout.
combining gray with ace Garrett Crochet In the starting rotation, the Red Sox now have two of five pitchers to record at least 200 strikeouts in each of the last two seasons, according to ESPN Research. Gray struck out 201 batters last season after striking out 203 in 2024.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow had said that adding a starting pitcher behind Crockett was one of the team’s goals for the offseason.
Gray has pitched in the big leagues for 13 years, most recently making the All-Star team in 2023. He has a career record of 125–102 with a 3.58 ERA in 330 starts.
The 6-foot-4 Clark, 22, has a fastball that can reach 100 mph and a wicked slider. He pitched 38 innings in Class A this season, striking out 60 but walking 27 for a 4.03 ERA.
Fitts, who turns 26 next month, was 2-4 with a 5.00 ERA in 10 starts for the Red Sox in his rookie season. He struck out 40 while giving up 11 home runs in 45 innings.
,[Fitts] Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, who previously held the position with the Red Sox, said, “He has already begun his big league career, and with his power and willingness to attack the strike zone, he has the potential to start games at the highest level for many years.”
“Both have the potential to be part of our growing core for a long time.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
