Red Sox Rumors: How Sonny Gray Trade Impacts Pursuit Of Free-Agent Pitchers

The trade for veteran pitcher Sonny Gray apparently has the Red Sox thinking about other needs in MLB free agency.

Boston acquired the right-handed starter from the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday. The Red Sox sent pitchers Brandon Clarke and Richard Fitts to the Cardinals, and reportedly received $20 million to go to Gray’s salary in 2026.

So, what does that mean for Boston’s pursuit of free-agent pitchers?

The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier reported the Red Sox are now unlikely to pursue a high-end starter on the open market.

“With the addition of Gray, one major league source suggested the Red Sox are unlikely to pursue top free agent starting pitchers, given the expectation that they will need to spend heavily to add a bat —whether Alex Bregman or the pursuit of free agents such as Pete Alonso or Kyle Schwarber,” Speier wrote.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow recently said the organization hoped to bolster the starting rotation.

The 36-year-old Gray, who waived his no-trade clause in order to land in Boston, will do just that. Gray is a three-time All-Star who went 14-8 with a 4.28 ERA last season and did not miss a start.

He’ll slot into the rotation behind ace Garrett Crochet and likely contend with Brayan Bello for the second spot.