The Boston Red Sox are trending toward being sellers at the Aug. 3 trade deadline after starting the season hoping to compete for a playoff spot.
That hasn’t happened. The Red Sox own the second-worst record in the American League (29-49), just ahead of the Los Angeles Angels (30-46).
Given their status as a bottom-feeder, one of the Red Sox starting pitchers, Sonny Gray, didn’t hold back when describing how poorly his club has played this season.
Sonny Gray doesn’t mince his words about how bad the Red Sox are
“I can’t speak on behalf of the group, but I can speak on behalf of myself. It’s very frustrating. We’re not good, we’re just not a good team right now, and that’s just a fact,” Skubal said to Gabrielle Starr of The Boston Herald.
Acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals in November of last year for Richard Fitts, Brandon Clarke and a player to be named later, Gray has done well on his end. The Red Sox team leader in wins (8-1), the three-time All-Star has a 1.18 WHIP and a 3.12 ERA, his lowest since 2023 (2.79).
Gray and the Red Sox starting rotation have been the best part of the team, outside of Garrett Crochet, who had a 6.30 ERA before landing on the IL due to inflammation in his left shoulder. Left-hander Payton Tolle (2.93 ERA) has emerged as a potential top-of-the-rotation arm for the Red Sox after covering Gray’s innings when he was out with a right hamstring strain (April 21 to May 6).
There’s a catch for the Red Sox trading Sonny Gray
The Red Sox trading Gray may sound easy enough, but the 36-year-old actually holds the cards here, as he has a full no-trade clause. Gray voided his no-trade clause to join the Red Sox after he thought his former club (the Cardinals) would be entering a rebuilding year.
The Cardinals are in the opposite spot to the Red Sox, sitting second in the National League Central standings (40-33) and 5.5 games out of the wild card. Given his quote and where the Red Sox stand, Gray may wind up voiding his no-trade clause to join a contending team.
“Gray has been one of the few bright spots for the underachieving Red Sox, going 8-1 with a 3.03 ERA in his first 12 starts of the season. The 36-year-old right-hander has a full no-trade clause, but the opportunity to move to a contender could prompt Gray to approve a deal. Gray is in the final year of his three-year, $75 million deal, and while he has a $30 million club option for 2027, he can opt out and become a free agent if the option is exercised,” wrote Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
Feinsand lists the Atlanta Braves, the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers as potential suitors for the Tennessee native.