The Boston Red Sox swung a big trade with the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday for veteran starting pitcher Sonny Gray , and the move has been quite divisive among fans. According to one Red Sox insider, though, there are two big reasons why the team pulled off this trade.

Gray is a three-time All-Star who finished second in the American League Cy Young race just a couple of years ago in 2023. However, Gray is 36 years old now, and he showed signs of decline in 2025 with the Cardinals, as he posted a 4.28 ERA over 32 starts last season.

Reports indicated that the Sox were looking for a de facto No. 2 starter to pair up with Garrett Crochet atop the rotation, but it remains to be seen if Gray is that guy at this point in his career. According to team insider Jen McCaffrey of The Athleti

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