The Boston Red Sox are not off to a good start in 2026. Entering April 20’s game against the Detroit Tigers, they were 8-13 and sitting in last place in the American League East. To make matters worse, right-hander Sonny Gray was forced to exit his start with hamstring tightness.
David Schoenfield of ESPN listed some trade candidates for every team in Major League Baseball in his early preview of the trade deadline. While Jarren Duran was listed as the top trade chip for Boston, another unexpected one was included, that being Gray, but the injury could complicate things, in addition to other factors.
“The veteran right-hander has a $30 million mutual option or a $10 million buyout for 2027, making him a potential free agent and possible trade candidate if Boston’s slow start is a sign of things to come,” Schoenfield wrote. “Of concern, both for Boston’s success and Gray’s trade value: Gray’s swing-and-miss rate is way down, with a strikeout rate that has dropped from 26.7% in 2025 to 12.5% this season.”
Sonny Gray Could Lose Trade Value
Gray came into Monday’s start with a 2-1 record and a 4.43 ERA in his first four games. Gray allowed one run in just 2 2/3 innings of work against the Tigers before leaving the game.
If Gray ends up a trade candidate for Boston, his value could be lower because of some concerning stats, as Schoenfield mentions. However, an injury would complicate things even more for the 36-year-old right-hander.
The three-time All-Star also struggled last season in St. Louis, posting a 4.28 ERA before being traded to Boston. He has just one year left on his contract, which makes him an attractive trade chip, but now he and the Red Sox may be facing an even more difficult situation.
What’s Next for Gray, Red Sox?
Depending on the severity of the injury, his value could take an even bigger hit, and that could force the Red Sox to have to hold onto him. If they do trade him at a certain point though, they might not get a whole lot in return for him. The injury only makes things worse.
If the Red Sox can’t get back into contention, then Gray makes sense as a trade candidate, but it remains to be seen if he will end up having to go on the injured list. Missing time could be a problem for him, and the Red Sox can’t afford for him to be out long if they can’t get back into contention and decide to try and capitalize on his value at the trade deadline.
It will be interesting to see how bad the injury is and if he will end up missing time, but this certainly doesn’t bode well for the Red Sox, regardless of where they are in the standings.
Gray won 14 games last season in St. Louis despite having a higher ERA than he did in 2024. But his health is going to be a major factor going forward.
The three-time All-Star was replaced by left-hander Danny Coulombe.
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