Crimson Sox land Sonny Grey from Cardinals in notable early MLB offseason commerce

The Crimson Sox have seemingly determined that Sonny Grey is the Sport 2 pitcher they lacked final season.

Boston is buying the ex-Yankee, as first reported by The Publish’s Jon Heyman.

Grey, 36, waived his no-trade clause to affix the AL wild-card crew.

He’s owed $35 million this upcoming season and Boston will cowl $20 million, with a $30 million mutual possibility for 2027 that features a $5 million buyout, in accordance with ESPN.

St. Louis is receiving pitching prospect Brandon Clarke and one other ex-Yankee pitcher in Richard Fitts, per ESPN.

The Crimson Sox loved a pleasant run to the postseason final 12 months, however their lack of a frontline starter subsequent to ace Garrett Crochet hampered the crew within the postseason.

Boston didn’t belief Brayan Bello in Sport 2, after which turned to rookie Connelly Early with their season on the road in opposition to the Yankees in Sport 3.

To take that subsequent step within the loaded AL East, the Crimson Sox hope to have higher choices in a brief collection subsequent October.

“Beginning pitching,” Crimson Sox’s Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow mentioned earlier this month whereas previewing the crew’s offseason, per MLB.com.

“And significantly somebody we really feel can begin alongside or slot in behind Garrett and begin a playoff sport for us. Due to the depth that we’ve constructed up during the last couple of years, we really feel fairly good about total beginning pitching and Nos. 3-ish by 10-ish, and that’s not to remove from guys who’re definitely able to doing extra. It’s simply to say, I don’t suppose we’re going to spend a ton of time attempting so as to add a No. 4 or a No. 5 starter. If we’re going to make a beginning pitching addition, I believe it must be any individual who can pitch on the entrance of a rotation and begin a playoff sport for us.”

Whether or not Grey is a Sport 2 pitcher is debatable getting into his age-36 season, however he’s a reliable veteran who eats innings.

The 13-year veteran has loved success in his profession largely apart from his failed stint within the Bronx, and went 27-17 with a 4.07 ERA spanning 60 begins during the last two years with St. Louis.

He posted a 101 ERA+, which means his metric graded out only a tad above common, though his FIP (fielding unbiased proportion) stood at 3.26.

Grey nonetheless can tally strikeouts, notching 203 in 2023 and 201 this previous season.

Boston now figures to pivot towards including an enormous bat this offseason, with Alex Bregman a free agent after opting out following his first 12 months with the crew.

Mets star Pete Alonso may make sense for the crew.

The Crimson Sox have additionally been linked to catcher J.T. Realmuto.

For the Cardinals, this begins the crew’s rebuild underneath new high baseball government Chaim Bloom, who beforehand served in that function with Boston.

Outfielder Brendan Donovan reportedly is a sizzling commodity who is also moved.

Clarke was Boston’s fifth-ranked prospect, per MLB.com, whereas Fitts went 2-5 with a 3.97 ERA spanning 11 begins over two seasons with the Crimson Sox after being included within the Alex Verdugo commerce.