Sonny Gray Becomes Free Agent After Mutual Option Is Declined

Sonny Gray is officially a free agent, as the MLBPA included the right-hander’s name on a list of players who have resolved their club or mutual options heading into the offseason. It isn’t specified if Gray or the Red Sox turned down their end of his $30MM mutual option for the 2027 campaign, but there was no surprise about the move since mutual options are almost always declined by at least one party. Gray will pocket a $10MM buyout and now head to the open market on the heels of a very successful season in Boston. With the Cardinals heading into a full-on rebuild last winter, Gray agreed to waive his no-trade clause and approved a deal that sent him to the Sox last November. Gray then delivered a 2.72 ERA and 6.7% walk rate over 29 starts and 169 innings for the Red Sox, helping stabilize the rotation even after Garrett Crochet missed most of the season. Though he is turning 37 in a week’s time and is entering his 15th MLB season, Gray made it clear that he plans to return for at least one more go-around in 2027. It seems likely that Gray will be able to command two guaranteed years in his next contract, though he could prefer the flexibility of a one-year contract given that he has lightly hinted at retirement on the horizon. Reports have indicated that Gray would prefer to pitch for teams on the East Coast or in relative proximity to his home in Nashville, so those clubs might have a bit of an advantage in pursuing Gray this offseason. A reunion with the Red Sox is certainly possible, though with Crochet healthy, Boston technically has a full rotation already in place. Gray has already received a qualifying offer in the past and is thus ineligible to be issued another, so if he signs elsewhere, the Red Sox won’t receive any draft pick compensation. View Comments (17)