Former Twins Ace Traded Again

The Minnesota Twins should be in on the pitching market this offseason, in some sort. They decimated their major league bullpen at the trade deadline, and need to at least field a full roster. It was also apparent this year that down-rotation depth gets exposed quickly, and another quality arm is necessary for postseason (lol) production.

Realistically, the Twins are probably of the mindset that both Pablo Lopez and Joe Ryan are expendable, which means the payroll will decrease further. If they do trade from the top of their rotation, it’s going to really hurt.

Last season, Ryan spoke on just how devastating moving on from staff ace Sonny Gray was for the pitching staff. After playing with the St. Louis Cardinals last season, the veteran will have a new home once again.

Sonny Gray is on the move again

Following a runner-up finish for the American League Cy Young award in 2023, the Minnesota Twins opted against paying Sonny Gray. He then signed a three-year, $75 million deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. He’ll now finish the final year of that contract in Boston after a trade.

Gray has full no-trade in contract and agreed to go to Boston https://t.co/XVWvgW8opJ

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 25, 2025

When the MN Twins handed Sonny Gray a qualifying offer, which he rejected, they were awarded the 33rd overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft as compensation. They used that selection on Kyle DeBarge. He had a .709 OPS with 66 steals at High-A Cedar Rapids this season as a 21-year-old.

The Red Sox are acquiring Gray and his $35 million salary in 2026, however St. Louis is sending $20 million in cash as well. There is a $30 mutual option in 2027, and there is a $5 million buyout. Gray is basically getting $41 million dollars for this year.

After posting a 3.84 ERA (3.12 FIP) in 2024 with St. Louis, he finished with a 4.28 ERA (3.39 FIP) this season for the Cardinals. His first start of 2025 came at Busch Stadium against his former employer. Gray bested the Twins over fine innings allowing just two runs and struck out six. The Cardinals won the game 5-3.

In exchange for Gray, the Cardinals get LHP Brandon Clarke, and RHP Richard Fitts. Clarke is a 22-year-old at High-A and ranked as Boston’s 5th best prospect per MLB Pipeline. Fitts was a sixth round pick by the New York Yankees in 2021, but has exhausted his prospect status. In 65 2/3 innings at the big league level, he owns a 3.97 ERA (5.02 FIP) with a 6.7 K/9.

St. Louis appears to be dialing back expenses, and future Hall of Fame shortstop Nolan Arenado is fully on the trade block as well. Minnesota’s only moves thus far this offseason have been a waiver claim of Ryan Kreidler, and a trade to acquire backup catcher Alex Jackson.