Craig Breslow Defends Red Sox Sonny Gray Trade Against Doomers

The Boston Red Sox’s recent trade for pitcher Sonny Gray has stirred up plenty of chatter among fans. The skepticism? Maybe not totally fair.

Gray’s traditional stats from last season—like a 4.28 ERA with the St. Louis Cardinals—don’t exactly jump out. But if you dig into his analytics, there’s a more interesting story.

This blog digs into why Gray could actually help the Red Sox rotation, how the front office is thinking about the deal, and what it might mean for the rest of the offseason. There’s more here than meets the eye.

Sonny Gray’s Numbers Tell a Bigger Story

People love to judge pitchers by ERA, but honestly, ERA hardly ever tells the whole truth. Gray’s advanced stats? Way more promising.

Breaking Down the Metrics

Gray finished last season with a 3.39 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) mark. That’s a stat that ignores defense and focuses on what the pitcher really controls—strikeouts, walks, and home runs.

That FIP says he pitched better than his ERA shows. He also posted a 5.29 strikeout-to-walk ratio, which points to sharp command and a knack for missing bats.

Gray’s numbers put him solidly among MLB’s stronger mid-rotation arms. He’s not at ace level anymore, but he can still eat innings and keep walks down.

For a team hunting for pitching stability, that’s a big deal.

Front Office Confidence in the Move

Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow has been open about backing the trade. He believes in Gray not just as a steady arm, but as someone who can lead a rotation.

Durability and Strikeout Power

Breslow pointed to two things: Gray’s durability and his back-to-back 200-strikeout seasons. In an era where pitchers rarely handle heavy workloads, Gray’s ability to stay healthy and productive every fifth day really stands out.

Breslow also said it’s too early to lock Gray into a specific role. Some see him as the No. 3 starter, but the 2025 rotation is still a work in progress.

Gray’s spot could shift depending on who else the Red Sox bring in.

Offseason Strategy: More Moves Ahead?

Some fans wonder if getting Gray means the Red Sox are done making big offseason moves. That doesn’t seem to be the case.

Breslow says the front office still plans to add to the roster before Opening Day.

Potential Targets Going Forward

Reports suggest the Red Sox could be eyeing an impact bat to boost the lineup. Pitching is still on the radar too.

Payroll limits mean the team has to be strategic, not flashy. With the winter meetings coming up, it feels too soon to say Boston’s done dealing.

• Pitching depth is still a priority—another rotation arm isn’t off the table.
• They’re also looking at versatile bats to balance the lineup.
• Bullpen help could finish off the roster.

Why Sonny Gray is an Upgrade

Looking at it another way, Gray’s a clear step up from Lucas Giolito, who struggled in Boston. Gray’s steady starts and power pitching should help a ton over a long, 162-game season.

The Bottom Line

Skepticism always creeps in for baseball fans, especially after seasons that didn’t quite deliver. Still, writing off the Sonny Gray trade just because of ERA misses a lot.

Gray brings durability and a knack for strikeouts. His underlying numbers could really help steady the Red Sox rotation.

Boston’s roster is far from finished, with the offseason still rolling. Adding Gray feels more like the first move than the last—maybe the start of a bigger plan to make the team stronger for 2025.

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Here is the source article for this story: Craig Breslow Explains Why Red Sox Doomers Are Wrong On Sonny Gray Trade