Sonny Gray Traded to Red Sox

Cross one name off the list for the Houston Astros’ trade targets.

According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, the St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to trade SP Sonny Gray to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor league SP Brandon Clarke and SP Richard Fitts. The Cardinals are also paying down $20M of Gray’s salary.

The 6’ 4”, 220 lb. Clarke is the Red Sox #5 prospect, though currently outside the Top 100 prospects per MLB.com. Clarke progressed from A to High-A last season at age 22. After posting an 0.92 ERA in 9.2 IP covering 3 appearances including a 17/2 K/BB ratio for Single-A Salem in the Carolina League, Clarke was promoted to Greenville in the South Atlantic (Sally) League.

At Greenville, Clarke made 11 starts going 0-3 with a 5.08 ERA. He continued to rack up the strikeouts with 43 in 28.1 IP, but struggled with command issuing 25 walks. The lefty starter has a big time fastball sitting 95-98 and touching 100 MPH, as well as a hard sweeping slider that usually ranges 88-91 MPH. He also offers a curve and change but struggles to command them for strikes.

Fitts made his MLB debut last season after checking in as the Red Sox #12 prospect in 2024. Standing 6’ 3” and 230 lbs., Fitts was considered to have the highest ceiling in the Red Sox’ system in 2024 among starters. His fastball ranges 92-95 and touches 98 with cut, and he throws a mid-80s slider with sweep that he can also throw with the appearance of a hard cutter. His change is a work in progress but misses bats.

Last season, Fitts progressed from Double-A to Triple-A to the Majors. He was 2-4 for Boston last season in 11 appearances and 10 starts, posting a 5.00 ERA.

Gray’s contract is also being reworked, per Woo, so that he will make $31M in 2026 with a mutual option buyout for $10M, essentially guaranteeing him $41M for next season. Gray’s original contract was slated to pay him $35M in 2026 and a team option for $30M in 2027.

Gray pitched well on a bad Cardinals team last season, going 14-8 with a 4.28 ERA. He recorded his second straight 200K season and third of his career. His 5.29 K/BB ratio led the NL.

Gray had been a trade target of the Houston Astros, but this trade by St. Louis indicates the Cardinals are going full rebuild, trading for a pair of young arms with high upside with one being likely 2 years away from the MLB level.