Red Sox Reportedly View Sonny Gray In Similar Light As Joe Ryan

The Boston Red Sox made their first splash of the offseason when they acquired former All-Star starting pitcher Sonny Gray in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Red Sox made it clear they want to upgrade their starting rotation this offseason, and they immediately crossed one item off their to-do list by adding Gray to the mix.

And yet, some folks feel like this trade leaves something to be desired. Craig Breslow previously said he wanted to acquire a starter who could slot in right behind Garrett Crochet, but it remains to be seen if Gray can be that guy as he prepares to enter his age-36 season.

Boston, however, appears to view things differently. Reports indicate that the team is very high on Gray, with team insider Rob Bradford of WEEI 93.7 revealing that some members of the front office even believe the team’s new starting pitcher is nearly on the same level as another one of the team’s trade targets, Minnesota Twins starter Joe Ryan.

“There are absolutely some in the Red Sox’s front office who believe what Gray represents is exactly what Breslow was talking about,” Bradford wrote. “His ability to strike guys out, miss bats, and control the strike zone helps make that case. Some in those offices would even say 2025 Gray isn’t that far off from 2025 Joe Ryan.”

Should this be true, that would likely preclude the team from going out and acquiring Ryan or another top-tier starter this offseason. Boston nearly picked up Ryan in a deal with Minnesota at the trade deadline last year, but it has not pivoted and added Gray.

The Red Sox still have a ton of depth when it comes to their starting rotation, so it may make more sense to focus on upgrading the lineup now that Gray is in town. Even with this line of thought potentially being how Boston feels, though, it would be unwise to rule out the addition of another starter, as the offseason has only just begun.