Red Sox swing trade for Sonny Gray to bolster their rotation

Red Sox swing trade for Sonny Gray to bolster their rotationStory byBob Nightengale, USA TODAYTue, November 25, 2025 at 5:07 PM UTC·1 min read

The Boston Red Sox, who vowed to be aggressive this winter to make their team a World Series contender, landed one of the premier pitchers on the trade market Tuesday by acquiring St. Louis Cardinals ace Sonny Gray.

Gray, who had a full no-trade clause, agreed to waive it, according to agent Bo McKinnis, for the opportunity to pitch for a contender, while the Cardinals go into a rebuild under new GM Chaim Bloom.

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement

The Red Sox will send No. 5 prospect Brandon Clarke and right-handed pitcher Richard Fitts to St. Louis.

Gray was owed $35 million this year with a $30 million club option or $5 million buyout in 2027. The contract was restructured to pay Gray $31 million this year with a $10 million buyout on a mutual option in 2027, engineered by McKinnis for the trade to be consummated. The Cardinals agreed to pay about $20 million of Gray’s contract, according to Masslive.com, in order to receive a better package of prospects from the Red Sox.

(This story will be updated with more information.)

TRADE GRADES Who won the Red Sox-Cardinals trade involving Sonny Gray?

Freddie Freeman (5) and the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.Freddie Freeman (5) and Max Muncy (13) celebrate after the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.Shohei Ohtani (17) and center fielder Justin Dean (75) celebrate with teammates after the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.Shohei Ohtani (17) and pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) and Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates with the Commissioner's Trophy after the Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) celebrates with the Commissioner's Trophy after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.1 / 13

See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party

Freddie Freeman (5) and the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.1 / 13

See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party

Freddie Freeman (5) and the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.2 / 13

See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party

Freddie Freeman (5) and Max Muncy (13) celebrate after the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.3 / 13

See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party

The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.4 / 13

See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party

The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.5 / 13

See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party

The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.6 / 13

See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party

The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.7 / 13

See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party

The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.8 / 13

See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party

Shohei Ohtani (17) and center fielder Justin Dean (75) celebrate with teammates after the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.9 / 13

See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party

Shohei Ohtani (17) and pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.10 / 13

See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) and Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.11 / 13

See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party

Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates with the Commissioner's Trophy after the Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.12 / 13

See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) celebrates with the Commissioner's Trophy after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.13 / 13

See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party

The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.

Red Sox rotation

1. Garrett Crochet

2. Sonny Gray

3. Brayan Bello

4. Connelly Early

5. Payton Tolle / Kutter Crawford / Patrick Sandoval

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sonny Gray traded to Red Sox: Cardinals deal starter to Boston

AdvertisementAdvertisement