The Boston Red Sox on June 22 experienced the worst loss of their season — and maybe this MLB season as a whole —in Denver. The Colorado Rockies steamrolled them for eight consecutive hits between the eighth and ninth innings to eventually win a 3-2 walkoff.
Sonny Gray did more than his fair share in helping Boston move past the brutal defeat. The veteran posted his best start of the season against the Rockies (who don't offer much competition), making quick work of their lineup to ensure the Sox forgot the ugliness of the night before.
Gray logged seven, six-hit, one-run innings against Colorado. The lone hit he surrendered was as home run to Willi Castro in the second inning. Gray fanned a staggering 11 Rockies, a season-high strikeout total, and issued one walk. His season ERA has dropped to 2.95 with a 1.19 WHIP and a 9-1 record over 76.1 innings pitched.
Despite Craig Breslow's seemingly unwavering optimism that his team can turn its fortunes around before the August 3 trade deadline, the Red Sox still have a long way to go before they can safely consider themselves contenders (subscription required). Gray is one of the few Red Sox on an expiring contract, making him an ideal candidate to be moved at the deadline. His stellar outing in Colorado will only serve to increase his trade value.
Sonny Gray's 11 strikeout night against Rockies was perfect audition to leave Red Sox ahead of trade deadline
Gray has a no-trade clause on his contract, which he would have to waive to be dealt. To no one's suprise, the righty has expressed a willingness to do so.
"If someone came to me from the Red Sox and made a decision that that’s the direction that this team was going to go, I would be open for a conversation,” Gray said, via multiple sources on June 21 (subscription required).
Of course Gray would be open discussing his no-trade clause, as he's pitched exceedingly well and the 2026 Red Sox are probably one of the worst teams he's ever played for (though he started his career with the Athletics so there's some good competition in that category). Teams in the hunt for a playoff spot can never have too much starting pitching. The heavily-injured Atlanta Braves come to mind as a location, as well as the Chicago Cubs, who just lost Edward Cabrera to the injured list.
Whether Gray is moved at the trade deadline or not, he's been one of Boston's top players this year and a much-needed adult in the room. The trade that brought Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Red Sox was a great one by Breslow — too bad the Red Sox aren't good enough to enjoy it for a full season.
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