Report: Boston Red Sox acquire RHP Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals

Through 13 seasons in the major leagues, Gray owns a 3.58 ERA and a 3.51 FIP through 1,918 innings of work. He spent his early years in Oakland and also pitched for the New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins and, most recently, the Cardinals.

Gray, a three-time All-Star and AL Cy Young runner-up (2023), made 32 starts for the Cards last year, posting an ERA of 4.28 and a WHIP of 1.234 over 180 2/3 innings. He finished the campaign with a 10 K/9, 1.9 BB/9 and a 3.39 FIP, while also producing a 97th percentile breaking ball value (+14), which was led by his sweeper and curveball. Since his debut in 2013, he ranks sixth among innings pitched and eighth among pitchers in fWAR (38.0).

Heading to St. Louis are Clarke and Fitts, who will bring some youth to the Cardinals organization, which appears to be looking to shed some payroll and perhaps focus on a potential rebuild if they continue to trade other veteran assets.

A former 2024 fifth-round pick of the Red Sox, Clarke advanced to High-A Greenville this season, his first professional campaign. Between both levels, he made 14 starts and posted a 4.03 ERA, 1.158 WHIP and 60 strikeouts over 38 innings. The expectation is that the left-hander will be big league-ready for a few more seasons.

Also heading to NL Central is right-hander Richard Fitts.

The 25-year-old made his big league debut for Boston in 2024, making four starts en route to a 1.74 ERA over 20 2/3 innings pitched. He made just ten starts and one relief appearance for the Red Sox in 2025, while dealing with several injuries and floating between the Majors and the minor leagues. Over 45 innings, he allowed 25 earned runs and amassed a 5.00 ERA and a 5.80 FIP with an 8.0 K/9.

The Red Sox acquire a veteran one-year starter to help fill the holes left by Lucas Giolito and Dustin May this free agent period. For the Cardinals, Gray is just one veteran they have moved so far this winter, with the likes of second baseman Brendan Donovan and third baseman Nolan Arenado potentially set to hit the road this season.