Gray Impressing Boston Brass -- And Has Been for Many Years

Veteran pitcher Sonny Gray brings wealth of knowledge to young Red Sox pitching staff

Feb. 12, 2026 at 5:55pm

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Veteran pitcher Sonny Gray, acquired by the Boston Red Sox in a November trade with the St. Louis Cardinals, is already making a strong impression on the team's coaching staff and young pitchers. Gray, who has eight pitches in his arsenal, is known for his strong work ethic, baseball knowledge, and ability to mentor younger players. Red Sox manager Alex Cora and others have praised Gray's impact, with Cora noting that Gray can be a valuable resource for the team's less experienced pitchers like Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello.

Why it matters

Gray's addition to the Red Sox pitching staff is seen as a key move to help develop the team's young, talented pitchers. As an experienced veteran with a proven track record of success, Gray can provide guidance, share his knowledge of the game, and help the younger hurlers reach their full potential. This could pay dividends for the Red Sox as they aim to contend for a playoff spot in the competitive American League East.

The details

Gray, 36, has bounced back impressively from a rough stretch with the New York Yankees in 2017-18. Red Sox manager Alex Cora recalled a conversation with former teammate David Price, who predicted Gray would go on to have a great career. Gray is now part of an impressive front four in the Boston rotation, which also includes Garrett Crochet, Ranger Suárez, and Brayan Bello. Gray credits taking care of his body as he's gotten older as a key to his continued success, saying the game has slowed down for him and he's arguably gotten better with age. Gray is known for his willingness to share his knowledge and experience with younger pitchers, and he's already been working closely with Bello and Crochet, who he trained with in the offseason.

  • In June 2018, Gray endured a tough outing against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium.
  • In November 2022, the Red Sox acquired Gray in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals.
  • This spring, Gray has been impressing the Red Sox coaching staff and working closely with the team's young pitchers.

The players

Sonny Gray

A 36-year-old veteran pitcher who was acquired by the Boston Red Sox in a November 2022 trade with the St. Louis Cardinals. Gray is known for his strong work ethic, baseball knowledge, and ability to mentor younger pitchers.

Alex Cora

The manager of the Boston Red Sox, who has been impressed by Gray's impact on the team's young pitching staff.

Garrett Crochet

A young Red Sox pitcher who is known as 'Beast' in the Boston clubhouse and has been working closely with Gray this offseason.

Brayan Bello

A young Red Sox pitcher who Gray believes has the potential to be one of the best in baseball, and who could benefit from Gray's wealth of knowledge and experience.

David Price

A former Red Sox pitcher who predicted in 2018 that Gray would go on to have a great career, a prediction that has proven accurate.

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What they’re saying

“David, he's like, 'That guy is going to be good. That guy is really good. Right now, there's stuff going on that is not working for him, but he's going to continue to have a great career.'”

— Alex Cora, Red Sox Manager

“For sure, taking care of my body is huge. That's something that once I turned 30, it became a lot more of a focus. And one thing I've learned is that if you take care of your body and still feel strong, which I really do, pitching just becomes a little easier once you get into your 30s. The game slows down a lot. You understand little things here and there. I feel like I understand a lot more things, and I've arguably gotten better as I've gotten older. So that's been nice.”

— Sonny Gray

“He's gross. Sinker is disgusting.”

— Sonny Gray

What’s next

As Gray continues to work with the Red Sox pitching staff this spring, it will be important to monitor how the team's young pitchers, especially Crochet and Bello, develop under his mentorship. Gray's ability to share his knowledge and experience could be a key factor in the Red Sox's success this season.

The takeaway

Sonny Gray's addition to the Red Sox pitching staff represents a savvy move by the team to bring in an experienced veteran who can help nurture the club's talented young arms. Gray's commitment to his craft and willingness to share his expertise could pay dividends for Boston as they aim to contend in the AL East.