In a blockbuster move shaking up the AL East and NL Central, the St. Louis Cardinals have traded veteran right-hander Sonny Gray to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for right-handed pitcher Richard Fitts and left-handed pitching prospect Brandon Clarke, with the Cardinals also sending twenty million dollars in cash to offset Gray's salary. The deal, first reported by Jon Heyman and confirmed by ESPN's Jeff Passan, comes as Gray waives his no-trade clause to join a contending Boston squad hungry for rotation stability. This trade addresses Boston's need for a proven starter while providing St. Louis with young arms to bolster their future pitching depth.

Gray, aged thirty-six, heads back to the American League after two seasons in St. Louis, where he posted solid numbers despite a slight dip in 2025. For the Red Sox, this acquisition signals an aggressive offseason push following their near-miss in the 2025 playoffs. Meanwhile, the Cardinals continue their retooling efforts, focusing on cost-controlled talent with upside.

 

Boston Red Sox Trade Impact

The Red Sox rotation receives an immediate upgrade with Gray slotting in as a potential number two starter alongside Brayan Bello. Boston's updated 2025-26 depth chart now features a mix of young talent, including top prospects like Connelly Early and Payton Tolle, who are expected to push for spots in the rotation. The non-tender of Lucas Giolito, who posted a 3.41 ERA in twenty-six starts during the 2025 season after missing all of 2024 due to elbow surgery, creates an even larger void that Gray helps fill. This move strengthens the overall staff for a division battle against the Yankees and Orioles. Expect Gray to eat innings and provide leadership. With the Cardinals covering twenty million dollars of Gray's thirty-five million dollar 2026 salary, Boston acquired him at a reduced cost of fifteen million dollars, enhancing the deal's value.

 

Sonny Gray Stats

Sonny Gray brings a wealth of experience with a career 3.58 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 1,925 strikeouts, and 1,918 innings pitched over 339 games with 330 starts. His strikeout rate stands at 9.03 K/9 with a low 0.90 HR/9, showcasing his ability to miss bats while inducing ground balls at a 49.7% rate. Recent highlights include a 2.79 ERA with 1.15 WHIP and 183 strikeouts in 184 innings during 2023 with Minnesota, a 3.84 ERA with 1.09 WHIP and 203 strikeouts in 166.1 innings during 2024 with St. Louis, and a 4.28 ERA with 1.04 WHIP and 201 strikeouts in 180.2 innings during 2025 with St. Louis. Trends show Gray maintaining elite strikeouts, peaking at 10.98 K/9 in 2024, but with a rising HR/9 of 1.25 in 2025, possibly due to Busch Stadium factors. His control improved to a career-low 1.89 BB/9 in 2025, making him a durable mid-rotation anchor.

 

St. Louis Cardinals Trade Impact

Losing Gray creates a void in the Cardinals' rotation, where he was a key stabilizer alongside Miles Mikolas. The 2026 depth chart lists Matthew Liberatore, Andre Pallante, Michael McGreevy and Kyle Leahy as options, but adding Fitts, who has MLB experience, and Clarke provides immediate and long-term help. Fitts could compete for a back-end spot, while Clarke bolsters the farm system. This trade involves sending twenty million dollars in cash along with Gray, meaning the Cardinals retain a portion of his thirty-five million dollar 2026 salary obligation while acquiring young talent, freeing some resources for other moves but risking a weakened 2026 contention window unless the new pitchers develop quickly.

 

Richard Fitts Stats

Richard Fitts, offers controllable upside with minor league dominance and brief MLB exposure. His MiLB career highlights include a 3.48 ERA and 9.61 K/9 over 152.2 innings pitched in AA during 2023, and strong showings with a 0.55 ERA in A+ during 2022. Key stats include a 3.97 ERA with 1.29 WHIP and 49 strikeouts in 65.2 innings for his MLB total with Boston. Fitts features a mid-90s fastball averaging 95.4 mph and solid strikeout potential, though his xERA of 5.05 suggests some regression risk.

 

Brandon Clarke Prospect Stats

Brandon Clarke, a twenty-two-year-old lefty with a projectable 6-4 frame, is a high-upside arm drafted in the fifth round in 2024 by Boston. His scouting report praises a 96-99 mph fastball that touches 100 with easy velocity, paired with a potential plus slider at 87-90 mph showing tight shape and bat-missing ability. Weaknesses include command issues with a 7.94 BB/9 in High-A during 2025 and underdeveloped secondary pitches like a fringe sweeper and below-average changeup. His 2025 stats show a 0.93 ERA with 0.41 WHIP and 17 strikeouts in 9.2 innings in Low-A at Salem, a 5.08 ERA with 1.41 WHIP and 43 strikeouts in 28.1 innings in High-A at Greenville, and a combined 4.03 ERA with 1.16 WHIP and 60 strikeouts in 38 innings across MiLB. Ranked in Baseball America's Top 100 in May 2025, Clarke's ceiling is a number two or three starter or high-leverage reliever, with an ETA of mid-2027. His mechanics involve effort but offer deception, making him a lottery ticket for the Cardinals' pipeline.

 

Fantasy Baseball Trade Impact

In fantasy leagues, Gray's value takes a hit moving to the hitter-friendly Fenway Park and tougher AL East matchups, potentially inflating his ERA from 4.28 to mid-4s while maintaining 200+ strikeouts. Downgrade him slightly in redrafts, but his skills make him a solid SP2. Fitts gains opportunity in St. Louis' thinner rotation, boosting his sleeper appeal for 2026 target him in deeper leagues for 150+ innings and 8-9 K/9 potential. Clarke is a dynasty stash with ace upside, worth adding in prospect-heavy formats given his velocity and slider; monitor his control in spring training. Overall, Boston managers celebrate the win-now boost, especially with  open rotation spots and the discounted salary via the twenty million dollars in cash from St. Louis, while Cardinals fans eye long-term gains.

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