If the 2026 MLB season started today, the Boston Red Sox’s top three starting pitchers would be Garrett Crochet, Sonny Gray, and Brayan Bello. After acquiring Gray in a surprising trade with the St. Louis Cardinals, the Red Sox have bolstered their rotation, and they’re likely not done on that front. But despite what’s coming next, Red Sox fans should be excited in the present moment about adding a talented arm like Gray to the mix. Boston’s brass certainly is. While the Cards sent $20 million to Boston to pay for nearly half of Gray’s $41 million owed in 2026, the remaining cost is still significant, but the Red Sox clearly felt that Sonny was worth the price of admission. It’s obvious that CBO Craig Breslow and the rest of the Red Sox front office view Gray as a pitcher who checks multiple boxes on their list of what’s valuable on the mound. ESPN’s Buster Olney provided insight into this on Wednesday when he pointed out a notable Gray stat hinting at what Breslow and Co. might be interested in. Last season, Bryan Bello posted a groundball % of 49.8 — 10th best in the majors. Garrett Crochet was at 48.3%, 11th best. Now the Red Sox add Sonny Gray, whose GB % was 43.9, the 19th best in the big leagues.— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 26, 2025 Per Olney, Gray’s groundball rate was 19th best in MLB, which is solid, but it becomes even more interesting when you consider that Crochet was 11th and Bello was 10th in groundball rate in 2025. Story continues below advertisement Overall, Gray tallied a 14-8 record last season with an ERA of 4.28 and 201 strikeouts in 32 appearances for the Cardinals, who had a better season than virtually everyone expected them to. The Red Sox will be Sonny’s sixth team in 13 MLB seasons. The electric right-hander is 125-102 losses in his career with an ERA of 3.58 and 1,925 strikeouts. Story continues below advertisement