The Boston Red Sox are entering the 2026 season with a few question marks, but still appear to have a pretty deep roster to start the year. They added Willson Contreras, Sonny Gray and Caleb Durbin in trades and signed left-hander Ranger Suarez, though they did also lose Alex Bregman in free agency.
However, there might be a world in which the Red Sox do not return to the postseason in 2026. They clinched a wild card spot last season before they fell short against the New York Yankees in the first round, but there are always question marks.
Should the Red Sox fall out of contention, there could be some new trade candidates. Jake Elman of FanSided listed Gray, who was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals as somebody who could be moved.
“If, and this is a big if, the Red Sox are out of the playoff picture in July, then there is no reason for them to keep Gray through season’s end,” Elman wrote. “The three-time All-Star turns 37 in November and has a 2027 team option.”
Boston Red Sox’s Sonny Gray Named Trade Candidate
Gray is in the final guaranteed year of his contract with Boston. He can also void his club option and hit free agency even if it is exercised by the Red Sox. In that case, he could make a good trade candidate if the Red Sox are out of the mix by July.
Even though he is turning 37 after the season, Gray could bring back a significant haul of prospects. The Cardinals are paying down most of his contract, so it’s not like the Red Sox would have to eat a lot of money, especially for a pitcher with just one year left before free agency.
That could sweeten the return a little bit and allow the Red Sox to set themselves up for the future. Despite posting a 4.28 ERA with St. Louis last season, Gray still won 14 games, struck out 201 batters over 180 2/3 innings pitched and made 32 starts, so he is still a workhorse that teams would want at the deadline if Boston were out of contention.
Of course, the expectation is that the Red Sox will be in contention, but there is always a scenario in which they could fall out of the mix, especially after losing Bregman. This makes Gray a solid option as a trade candidate, and Boston could get a lot for him if they dangle him in trade talks at the deadline.
Will Gray be traded?
Of course, this could only happen if the Red Sox decide to sell at the trade deadline. But the American League East is crowded, so they could find themselves buried by the midway point of the season if they were to get off to a slow start.
It will be interesting to see what the Red Sox decide to do if that happens. If they stay in contention, then there is no reason to believe Gray will be shipped out at the deadline for prospects.
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