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On Tuesday, the Boston Red Sox received veteran right-hander Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals in a trade. In exchange, the Cardinals acquired right-hander Richard Fitts and left-handed pitching prospect Brandon Clarke, plus a player to be named later (or cash). Before the trade could happen, Gray waived his no-trade clause.
According to MLB insider Jeff Passan, in order to manage Gray's contract, which was supposed to pay him $35 million this year, the Cardinals are also sending $20 million in cash to the Red Sox to cover some portion of his salary and the buyout of his 2027 mutual option.
"The Cardinals are sending the Red Sox $20M to cover Sonny Gray’s salary, sources tell ESPN," Passan wrote on X. "Gray’s contract will pay him $35M this year, and there is a $30M mutual option -- not club, as had been previously reported -- with a $5M buyout. Cash covers half of Gray’s guarantee."
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Moreover, according to MLB.com, Gray's 2026 salary has been renegotiated. Instead of $35 million, he will receive $31 million next year. His 2027 option has also been adjusted. If the Red Sox pick it up, the buyout increases to $10 million, and Gray retains the right to opt out.
Red Sox CBO praises Sonny Gray for waiving no-trade clause
Sonny Gray had a no-trade clause in his contract but he only waived it when the Cardinals let him know about a potential deal to the Red Sox. According to chief baseball officer, Craig Breslow, that was an indication that the pitcher really wanted to be here.
“The no-trade [clause] is a great barometer for how interested a player is in coming to a specific destination,” Breslow said. “So kind of by the nature of Sonny's willingness to waive it to come here, I think that says a lot about his interest."
In the offseason, the Red Sox wanted a reliable pitcher behind Garrett Crochet. They found Gray could help them do that as he is coming off a year where he logged 32 starts, 180.2 innings, struck out 201 batters, and posted a 14-8 record.
“He was very clear about his desire to win, and his excitement about this opportunity,” Breslow added. “So, he's very excited to come to Boston and we're excited to have him.”
Gray should make the Red Sox pitching rotation more formidable in the AL East.
