Morning Briefing: Veteran Starter Gray Off the Market

Good morning, Mets fans!

On Tuesday, the St. Louis Cardinals traded right-hander Sonny Gray to the Red Sox for pitching prospect Brandon Clarke and Richard Fitts, as first reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post. ESPN’s Jeff Passan later added that St. Louis will kick in $20 million in the deal. Gray’s contract will also be slightly modified, likely as a reward for waiving his full no-trade clause.

The 36-year-old Gray currently slots in as Boston’s No. 2 starter behind Garrett Crochet. He brings 13 years of big-league experience, including three seasons with Cy Young votes — the most recent coming in 2023.

Heading to St. Louis are two young arms in Clarke and Fitts. Clarke, a 22-year-old lefty, is an intriguing prospect who’s touched 100 mph and pairs it with a plus-plus slider. The 2024 fifth-round pick reached High-A in 2025. Fitts, on the other hand, has already gotten a taste of the majors and looked solid in the first few months of the season. The hard-throwing righty made 11 big-league starts and finished with a 5.00 ERA, but at 25, he still has room to grow.

MMO’s Robert Colonna has more.

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On This Date in Mets History

1967: The Mets acquire Gil Hodges from the Washington Senators in exchange for Bill Denehy and $100,000.

Born on This Date: Richie Hebner (1947), Brian Schneider (1976), Josh Smoker (1988).

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