The Boston Red Sox are looking to shore up their rotation after losing veteran Lucas Giolito to free agency. In an attempt to strengthen their rotation, the team reportedly acquired starter Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman.
Gray, 36, needed to waive his no-trade clause to join the Red Sox. The longtime veteran was reportedly willing to do so, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
The Red Sox will receive Gray and cash from the Cardinals. In exchange, Boston is sending two young pitchers to St. Louis: lefty Brandon Clarke and righty Richard Fitts, per Passan.
Gray joins the Red Sox after posting a 4.28 ERA over 180 2/3 innings with the Cardinals in 2025. It was his highest single-season ERA since 2018, when he posted a 4.90 ERA in 190 1/3 innings with the New York Yankees.
The Cardinals disappointed in 2025, finishing 78-84, good for fourth in the National League Central. After signing a three-year, $75 million deal with St. Louis in 2023, Gray was set to make $35 million with the Cardinals in 2026. While St. Louis is sending money to Boston in the deal — presumably to cover a portion of Gray’s contract — that price might have been too steep for the Cardinals, who appear to be retooling following a down year.
Gray’s contract also contains a $30 million club option for 2027. Given his age, he would have to pitch exceptionally well for Boston to pick up that option after the 2026 season.
Despite a miserable season from 2024 standout Tanner Houck and a 5.45 ERA from Walker Buehler before he was released, Boston’s rotation rallied to post a 3.92 ERA in 2025, good for 12th in MLB. The team was led by ace Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello. Giolito got off to a rough start after coming back from Tommy John surgery but turned into a strong starter once June hit, finishing with a 3.41 ERA in a resurgent season.
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But with Giolito hitting the free-agent market, the Red Sox were in need of another starter. The team didn’t have many strong options behind Giolito on the depth chart last season. Connelly Early showed promise in just four starts, and Hunter Dobbins and Fitts were average.
Despite Gray’s elevated ERA, there’s evidence the veteran will bounce back in 2026. He still posted solid strikeout and walk rates and had a 3.39 FIP, suggesting he was a bit unlucky. While Gray should see his ERA improve in 2026, he is now moving into one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in MLB. In addition to that, his age makes him a risk to suffer a steep decline at any moment.
Gray’s approach, however, could help him remain effective as he approaches 40. He’s not known for elite velocity and has shown an affinity for spin and throwing multiple pitches. Those factors could allow him to age gracefully as he nears the end of his career. As long as he doesn’t completely fall apart, Gray should provide the Red Sox with solid middle-of-the-rotation numbers, with a chance to be even better than that.
For the Cardinals, this move is all about the future. Gray’s age and contract no longer fit on a team looking to retool in 2026. While Fitts, 25, gives the team a young starter it can immediately insert into the rotation in 2025, Clarke, 22, has yet to reach Double-A. Both pitchers will be viewed as developmental players in 2026. Fitts will try to prove he can be in the Cardinals’ rotation long-term, and Clarke will look to show promise as he continues to climb the minor-league ladder.
The trade also suggests Gray won’t be the only Cardinals veteran on the move. The team has been looking for suitors for third baseman Nolan Arenado, and he could be the next domino to fall as St. Louis looks to play for the future.
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