"He is Walker Buehler, go replace Lucas Giolito" - Red Sox sportscaster doubts newcomer can be Garrett Crochet's No.2

Boston Red Sox sportscaster Lou Meloni is uncertain about Sonny Gray's potential to be the second-best pitcher in the rotation behind Garret Crochett. The Red Sox acquired Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday.

Merloni respects Gray, a three-time All-Star, but believes the Red Sox need a younger controllable starter to support Crochett, who came second behind Tarik Skubal in the 2025 AL Cy Young voting.

Merloni, a former Red Sox player, broke down Gray's strengths and fit in the rotation on Wednesday's episode of NESN's "Boston Has Entered the Chat."

"Well, my initial thought was, first off, I like Sonny Gray," Merloni said (Timestamp 31:23). "All right. I think he's a good pitcher. I think the game is swing and miss; he gets swing and miss. My second thought is I want to see what's next. Like, is this it?"

The sportscaster suggested Minnesota Twins' Joe Ryan, Cincinnati Reds' Hunter Greene, Miami Marlins' Sandy Alcantara, or Milwaukee Brewers' Freddy Peralta were better options. The aforementioned starting pitchers are 30 or younger, significantly younger than the 36-year-old Gray.

"So, for me, as much as I like him, $21 million to me, he's Walker Beller. Now go replace Lucas Giolito," Merloni said. "Is there another shoe to drop here? Like, does it help them with leverage, not as desperate in the trade market or in the free agent market?"

"So I do want to see this thing play out, but if this is it, yeah, I think a lot of people are going to be, you know, underwhelmed," he added.

Buehler joined the Red Sox in Dec. 2024 for a one-year, $21.05 million contract. However, Boston released him in August after he went 7-7 in 22 starts with a 5.45 ERA.

Meanwhile, Giolito was a key part of the team's rotation after returning from the injured list. Along with Brayan Bello, he provided quality innings and run prevention, ably supporting Garret Crochett.

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Red Sox CBO talks about Sonny Gray

The Red Sox traded Richard Fitts and Brandon Clarke to the Cardinals to get Sonny Gray and cash considerations. Boston will also need to send a player to be named or cash to the Cardinals as part of the trade.

Red Sox Chief Business Officer Craig Breslow spoke to the media on Tuesday after finalizing the trade for Gray. During the conversation, a reporter asked Breslow whether he saw Gray as Crochett's running mate.

"I don't know how much sense it makes in November to put a number on a guy," Breslow said (Timestamp 29:46). "I think Sunny is a very talented major league pitcher. You know, the, the seasons that he's put up pretty consistently indicate that to be the case. That said, you know, we still, intend to, to improve our team."

Breslow admitted he doesn't know what that looks like right now. However, he promised the Red Sox would continue to explore opportunities to improve.