Sonny Gray ‘open for a conversation’ with Red Sox about no-trade clause
SEATTLE — Sonny Gray, among the Red Sox’ best and most obvious trade chips, is taking an open-minded approach to his no-trade clause.
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As a part of his contract, Gray must approve any deal that he is involved in. If the Red Sox become sellers ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline — and want to trade the righthanded starter in the last guaranteed year of his contract — he will listen to what they want.
“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 told the Globe. “Whatever happens from then, only time will tell. But I would be open for a conversation.”
Holding veto power is “an earned thing” and means a lot, Gray said. He negotiated it into the three-year, $75 million deal he signed with the Cardinals heading into 2024.
When St. Louis’s new top baseball executive, Chaim Bloom, previously with the Red Sox, came to him at the end of last season and said he wanted to trade Gray, Gray told him some teams he would consider.
“I really liked Chaim, liked talking to him. I thought he was easy to talk to,” Gray said. “And after that, then yes, I sent him a list of teams that I would be willing to consider, and then just go from there.”
The Braves likely will be in the market for rotation upgrades. Atlanta is driving distance from Nashville, where Gray lives in the offseason (and where his family is based during the season).
Would geography factor into Gray waiving his no-trade clause?
“Don’t necessarily want to look too far ahead at that. It is a fair question,” he said.
For the Sox, trading Gray figures to be an obvious option if they become sellers. As solid as he has been, with a 3.12 ERA and 1.18 WHIP, he is due to become a free agent after this season (barring his mutual option being exercised). So it makes sense to get something for him and/or dump some salary.
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The Sox don’t have many other pending free agents. Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Patrick Sandoval are on the list, though both are on the injured list. Aroldis Chapman’s 2027 option vests when he reaches 40 innings (and finishes the season healthy). Garrett Whitlock has a $10.5 million team option for next year. Danny Coulombe is on a one-year deal. All are trade candidates.
The Red Sox can consider trading those under team control beyond 2026, too, including Willson Contreras (who also has a no-trade clause) and Jarren Duran.
If the time comes for Gray, he’ll be ready.
“Having the ability to be in control of your own situation is very, I feel like, earned,” he said. “In my experience, it always starts with just a conversation.”
Winnay moves up
The Red Sox promoted Newton native (and Belmont Hill alumnus) Jack Winnay to Double-A Portland, a source said.
Winnay, a 23-year-old corner infielder in his first full season of pro ball, slashed .255/.434/.457 with 11 home runs and 31 RBIs in 56 games with High-A Greenville.
Pitching plans
The Red Sox are keeping the rotation in order against the Rockies Monday-Wednesday: Jake Bennett, Gray, Ranger Suarez.
Colorado will counter with righthander Ryan Feltner (5.05 ERA), lefthander Sean Sullivan (eight runs in seven innings), and lefthander Kyle Freeland (7.36 ERA).
Wilyer’s day off
As was the case with Ceddanne Rafaela on Saturday, Wilyer Abreu received a scheduled day off in Sunday’s 3-1 loss to the Mariners. Nate Eaton played right field in his place. Abreu sat out just one other game this season and hadn’t missed an inning since April 15 … Sandoval will make his fourth rehab start Tuesday, with Triple-A Worcester, interim manager Chad Tracy said. The Sox plan for him to throw about 55 pitches across three or four innings. Sunday marked two years since Sandoval’s most recent big league game. He had Tommy John surgery and has dealt with a series of setbacks since. “All the more reason, not just for the arm, but these outings, to make sure you get him right, the more time he gets on that mound, the better it is for him,” Tracy said … Triston Casas, more than 2½ months removed from an abdominal strain, is making his way through the early stages of a hitting progression: hitting off a tee and soft toss … Garrett Crochet (left shoulder, lat injuries) is due to be reevaluated and have his shoulder strength measured Monday. “We’ll see after that where he’s at and if we can potentially do some throwing,” Tracy said.
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