Red Sox Add Sonny Gray — They Still Need Deadline Help

The Boston Red Sox just made a calculated move by acquiring pitcher Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals. This deal should really be seen as just the first step in a bigger push to get back into contention.

The Cardinals are picking up a big chunk of Gray’s salary, and Boston will slot him into the middle of the rotation. Now, the Red Sox are at a crossroads: do they capitalize on this base and aggressively add star talent, or risk wasting yet another season on the fringe?

Sonny Gray Trade: A Smart, Low-Risk Rotation Upgrade

The Red Sox landed Sonny Gray in exchange for Richard Fitz and Brandon Clark. It’s a move that adds a seasoned arm without crushing the payroll.

Gray isn’t the front-line ace he once seemed to be, but he’s still a valuable mid-rotation starter in today’s game. That’s something Boston’s rotation has sorely needed.

Gray’s Recent Performance and Contract Context

Last season, Gray went 14–8 with a 4.28 ERA. Those numbers might not dazzle, but for a Boston rotation that’s been thin and inconsistent, they mean stability and experience.

The Cardinals are covering $20 million of his contract, which takes a lot of the financial sting out of the deal for the Red Sox. This kind of structure makes the trade especially appealing.

Boston gets:

Fit in Boston’s Rotation and Market Concerns

The Red Sox see Gray as a number three starter, slotting behind ace Garrett Crochet and rising pitcher Joe Ryan. He doesn’t need to dominate; he just needs to compete, eat innings, and keep the team in games.

There’s a real question about his track record in large-market environments. Gray struggled under the New York spotlight with the Yankees, and Boston’s not much easier.

Still, he’s got almost a decade more experience now and isn’t being asked to be a staff ace. The pressure should be more manageable. At this point, Gray is more about reliable production than headlines.

Why the Red Sox Can’t Stop With Sonny Gray

The Gray acquisition is solid, but it doesn’t really change Boston’s standing in an increasingly top-heavy American League. To close the gap on teams like the Dodgers and Blue Jays, the Red Sox need more than just incremental upgrades.

A Strategic Reset: Letting Alex Bregman Walk

Making tough decisions is part of the strategy. Letting Alex Bregman walk, after he opted out and is likely to command around $120 million in free agency, makes sense for Boston’s long-term plans.

Bregman is a quality player, but sinking that kind of money into him now could box the team in. The Red Sox should target players who actually fit their ballpark and lineup needs.

Bo Bichette: A Perfect Fenway Fit

At the top of that list is Bo Bichette. He’s exactly the kind of dynamic, all-field threat who could thrive in Boston.

Bichette has shown that he loves hitting at Fenway Park and handles the city’s intense baseball atmosphere well. Adding Bichette would give the Red Sox:

Pete Alonso and the Need for Right-Handed Thunder

The other premium target should be Pete Alonso. Boston’s lineup has lacked consistent, right-handed power that can change a game with one swing.

Alonso brings exactly that. Plugging him into the order would provide:

Narrowing the Gap With the League’s Elite

Now that Gray’s in the fold as a cost-efficient, reliable starter, the Red Sox have a foundation. But to go from fringe contender to a real threat, they’ve got to grab this moment and add true star power.

A blueprint pops up pretty fast:

 
Here is the source article for this story: 2 Minute Drill: Sox acquire Sonny Gray, but they should not stop there