On November 25, 2025, the St. Louis Cardinals pulled off a bold, salary-clearing move, sending veteran right-hander Sonny Gray — a three-time All-Star and 2023 Cy Young runner-up — to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for two pitching prospects and a staggering $20 million in cash. The deal, finalized just before Thanksgiving, wasn’t just about replacing innings; it was a financial reset for St. Louis and a low-risk gamble for Boston, with Gray agreeing to waive his no-trade clause to make the move from St. Louis to Boston possible.
Why the Red Sox Took the Risk
The Boston Red Sox didn’t acquire Gray to rebuild. They did it to contend. With ace Garrett Crochet locked in as their frontline starter, Boston needed depth behind him — especially after watching their rotation crumble under playoff pressure in 2024. Gray, despite a 4.28 ERA in 2025, posted a 26.7% strikeout rate and a career-best 5% walk rate — the lowest of his 11-year career. His SIERA of 3.29 suggested he was far better than his surface stats indicated. He’s also got postseason pedigree: a 3.26 ERA in 30 1/3 career playoff innings. In a league where reliable starters are scarce, Gray’s consistency — especially his 5.29 K/BB ratio, fourth-best among qualified pitchers — made him too valuable to pass up.And here’s the twist: Boston didn’t just get Gray. They got him at a discount. Originally slated to earn $35 million in 2026, Gray and the Red Sox renegotiated his deal after the trade, lowering his salary to $31 million while bumping his 2027 buyout from $5 million to $10 million. The $20 million the Cardinals sent over covered more than half of that 2026 guarantee. That’s not just smart accounting — it’s a masterclass in risk mitigation. As MLB.com put it: "This deal is mostly without risk for the Red Sox. They’re just simply better — and deeper — because of it."
What the Cardinals Got in Return
For the St. Louis Cardinals, this wasn’t a fire sale. It was a pivot. They shed $20 million in payroll — a massive win for a franchise that’s been under pressure to trim costs since the 2023 luxury tax spike. But they didn’t walk away empty-handed. They acquired two arms with upside: Richard Fitts, a 25-year-old right-hander who made 11 starts for Boston in 2025, and Brandon Clarke, an 18-year-old lefty ranked as Boston’s #8 prospect.Fitts, who turns 26 next month, pitched 56 innings with a 4.32 ERA in 2025. He’s not flashy, but he’s durable, efficient, and — according to Cardinals insiders — "big league ready." He could slot directly into St. Louis’s rotation next spring. Clarke, meanwhile, is a raw project. He struck out 35% of batters in Single-A in 2025, a jaw-dropping number that suggests elite command and stuff. But he’s still three to four years away from the majors. Scouts rate him as a potential swingman or middle reliever, not a frontline starter. Still, for a team that’s been starved for pitching depth, even a 35% K-rate in Low-A is worth a gamble.
"Fingers are crossed," wrote jj-cf-stl on The Cardinal Nation. "Fitts could be our guy next year. Clarke? He’s a lottery ticket. But we needed both."
Who’s Happy? Who’s Skeptical?
The trade drew mixed reactions. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, chief baseball analyst for The Athletic, told NESN he wasn’t convinced the Red Sox got enough value. "You’re trading a 36-year-old pitcher who’s a free agent after next season for two guys who aren’t even in Double-A yet? That’s a stretch," he said. But others pointed out Boston didn’t give up any MLB-ready talent. No top-10 prospect. No major league reliever. Just cash and a couple of arms with upside.For St. Louis, the trade signals more than just payroll relief. It suggests the front office, led by John Mozeliak and Mike Girsch, is willing to pay to rebuild. "The fact St. Louis ownership took on money is a good sign for getting Nolan Arenado traded," noted MLB.com. With Arenado’s $30 million salary looming in 2026, this deal may be the first domino in a larger cleanup — one that could free up $50 million or more in future payroll.
What’s Next?
Gray’s 2026 season will be a litmus test. If he pitches like he did in 2023 — a 3.05 ERA, 228 strikeouts — the Red Sox will be thrilled. If he fades, they lose nothing but a $31 million salary and a $10 million buyout. Meanwhile, Fitts will likely start 2026 in St. Louis’s rotation, with Clarke assigned to High-A Palm Beach. The Cardinals’ farm system, ranked near the bottom of MLB in 2024, now has two tangible assets to build around.And while Boston fans cheer the addition of a proven arm, the real story may be what happens in 2027. Gray’s mutual option could become a $30 million liability — or a $10 million buyout. Either way, the Red Sox have bought themselves a year of contention without mortgaging their future. And the Cardinals? They’ve bought time — and prospects — to rebuild.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Sonny Gray waive his no-trade clause?
Gray waived his no-trade clause because Boston offered him a chance to compete for a playoff spot — something St. Louis couldn’t guarantee after missing the postseason in 2025. He also reportedly appreciated the Red Sox’s willingness to renegotiate his 2026 salary down to $31 million while increasing his buyout, making the financial terms more secure. His postseason track record suggests he’s motivated by winning, not just money.
How does this trade affect the Cardinals’ payroll and future trades?
The Cardinals reduced their 2026 payroll by $20 million by sending cash to Boston, a rare move that signals their intent to shed high salaries. This sets a precedent for future deals — particularly with Nolan Arenado, whose $30 million salary is a major obstacle. If St. Louis can absorb $20 million to acquire prospects, they may be willing to do the same for Arenado, making him more tradeable. This deal shows they’re prioritizing long-term rebuilding over short-term cost avoidance.
Are Brandon Clarke and Richard Fitts ready to contribute in 2026?
Richard Fitts is MLB-ready — he started 10 games for Boston in 2025 and has a solid track record against Triple-A hitters. He’s likely to be a mid-rotation starter in St. Louis next season. Brandon Clarke, however, is still in Single-A and is projected to take 3–4 years to reach the majors. He’s a high-upside, high-risk project with elite strikeout potential but needs refinement. He won’t help in 2026, but he could be a key piece by 2028.
Was this a win for the Red Sox or the Cardinals?
It’s a win for both — but in different ways. The Red Sox got a proven, high-leverage starter for one year at a reduced cost, improving their chances of contending in 2026. The Cardinals got payroll relief and two pitching prospects, one of whom (Fitts) can help immediately. Neither team got a blockbuster return, but both minimized risk. The Red Sox gained immediate value; the Cardinals gained future flexibility. It’s a rare trade where both sides can reasonably claim victory.
What does this mean for the American League East?
The Red Sox just added a reliable, veteran arm to a rotation that already features Garrett Crochet and emerging talent like Brayan Bello. With Gray, they now have three starters who can eat innings and perform under pressure — a rare luxury in a division led by the Yankees and Orioles. If Gray stays healthy, Boston’s rotation becomes one of the deepest in the AL, making them a legitimate threat to reach October. The Yankees, meanwhile, may feel pressure to respond before the trade deadline.
How does Gray’s 2025 performance compare to his career peak?
Gray’s 2025 season (4.28 ERA, 26.7% K, 5% BB) was solid but not his best. His peak came in 2023, when he posted a 3.05 ERA and finished second in AL Cy Young voting. That year, he struck out 232 batters with a 6.1 K/BB ratio — better than his 2025 numbers. But his 2025 walk rate was his lowest ever, and his SIERA (3.29) suggests he was unlucky. He’s still a top-15 starter in MLB, just not the elite pitcher he was two years ago. That’s exactly why Boston could afford to take him on.