Will Sonny Gray return to the Boston Red Sox for the 2027 season? That's one of the hottest questions facing the Red Sox this winter, and a major insider just added gasoline to the fire by predicting that Gray will land, not in Boston, but with a division rival.
The Atlanta Braves seem like one logical fit for Gray due to their proximity to his Nashville base. MLB.com's Mark Feinsand wrote this week that "some believe [Gray] might prefer to join a team closer geographically to his home."
But what about ... the Tampa Bay Rays?! MassLive's Chris Cotillo frightened some Boston fans this week by predicting that Gray will spurn the Sox and sign instead with the reigning American League champs.
"Doesn’t trading Drew Rasmussen for a big haul and then signing Gray to a short-term, high-value deal seem like something the Rays would do?" Cotillo said.
Sonny Gray is officially a free agent. His mutual option was declined, which also netted him a $10M buyout. pic.twitter.com/HInX2aGcPP
— Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) October 30, 2026
Chris Cotillo predicts that Sonny Gray will ditch Red Sox, sign with the Rays
It's a prediction that isn't at all outlandish. Tampa Bay — obviously primed to win in the postseason — would love adding the veteran Gray, who's a clutch, big-game pitcher coming off one of the best seasons of his career. Gray went 18-5 in 2026 (tied for the MLB lead in wins) with a 2.72 ERA over 169 innings pitched for Boston.
And while Gray, on the whole, seemed to enjoy his time with the Red Sox, things did end on a sour note. Remember: This is a guy who had no problem publicly slamming one of his former teams (the New York Yankees); do we really think he developed any sort of attachment to the Red Sox that would make him think twice about joining the Rays? He might even relish doing so.
Boston is more than 300 miles further away from Nashville than Tampa Bay is. There's also the competitive factor: It would be nearly impossible to argue that the Red Sox are closer to a championship than the Rays currently are. And Gray wants to win. He certainly did his part in 2026 to help the Red Sox strive for the ultimate goal, filling in admirably as the team's ace while Garrett Crochet missed most of the season.
Losing Gray wouldn't be the end of the world for a Red Sox rotation that will feature arms like Crochet, Payton Tolle, Ranger Suarez (and perhaps Brayan Bello). But to lose Gray and see him join the Rays? That would be a little much.
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