Top Landing Spots for Free Agent Sonny Gray

In this offseason’s talent pool, veteran starter Sonny Gray is among the best available starting pitchers. This past season, Gray re-established himself as an ace and should be in line for a sizeable contract. 

Gray has already declined his $30 million mutual option and stated that he intends to pitch in 2027. 

Last season, the 37-year-old starter continued to age gracefully. In 169 innings, Gray posted a career-best 2.72 ERA and won 18 games, finishing 50% above average by ERA+. He led a playoff-caliber rotation in Boston, and now he’s anyone’s prize free agent. 

Gray reinvented himself in 2026. He went from a strikeout catalyst to one of baseball’s grizzled groundball merchants. The right-hander shifted from his token four-seam/sweeper combo and implemented a sinking approach. 

With this new sinker, Gray had a career year even though his strikeout rate, walk rate, and whiff percentage all declined. The old dog learned new tricks, and it should be enough to entice free-agent buyers to pay the big bucks. 

Underlying numbers hint at marginal regression. Gray’s 83.2% strand rate and .283 BABIP will dwindle in years to come. Regardless, his foundation is solid, and his experience in invaluable. 

Last year, among AL pitchers, Gray led in wins, finished fifth in ERA, 12th in WHIP, and 14th in batting average against. Since 2022, Gray ranks second in all of MLB in ERA, sixth in K/9, sixth in xERA, and fourth in FIP. 

Amidst a long, fruitful career, he is likely approaching the last contract he’ll ever sign. Any team that inks him may have to add an extra year or two, hoping for fine wine over spoiled milk. Alternatively, he could play year by year, as he has been open to retiring. 

He’s adamant that he will “be done in a heartbeat” if his family prefers it that way. 

Past conflict could also play a role in his offseason. During the playoffs, Red Sox manager Chad Tracy pulled him after a mere 70 pitches in 4.2 innings during the Wild Card Series. After the game, Gray expressed his frustration. 

“I would have liked to live or die with me in that moment, but that’s the competitor I am, and yeah, I think you can probably ask the guys, and they felt the same way. So I felt strong, I felt confident, I felt convicted,” he said. 

Historically, he’s preferred East Coast teams, outside of his infamous stint with the New York Yankees. This could factor into the veteran’s decision, as he’s in “do it my way” career territory. Gray doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone; he’s cemented himself as one of his generation’s most consistent starters. 

Here’s a snapshot of what perennial consistency may have earned Gray headed into this offseason: 

Free Agent Profile: Sonny Gray

• Age in 2027: 37
• 2026 stats: 29 GS, 169 IP, 2.72 ERA, 3.47 FIP, 1.15 WHIP, 7.9 K/9
• Contract Projection: 1-3 years
• Expected AAV: $25-35 million (dependent on contract length) 

Just Baseball’s No. 7 free agent (No. 4 pitcher) will be a major upgrade to someone’s rotation. But who? 

Free Agent Landing Spots for Sonny Gray

Atlanta Braves

Projected 2027 starting rotation: Chris Sale, Grant Holmes, Bryce Elder, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo López

Reading through the Atlanta Braves’ projected rotation, nostalgia reigns supreme. It blends former top prospects, elite stuff, and name value. On paper, it should produce.

The reality? The Braves were just fine. And fine is a lot when you’re dealing with an innings famine. They finished 11th in MLB in innings pitched by starters, but did so while navigating constant injuries. 

It’s hard to chop on and smile when the injured list looks like this: Spencer Schwellenbach, AJ Smith-Shawver, Hurston Waldrep. At times, that list also included Strider, López, and Elder. 

The Braves need a mixture of production and stability. That’s very hard to come by. Maybe a veteran who’s logged over 800 innings since 2022 will suffice? 

In Gray, the Braves would add a front-end starter, playoff experience, and plenty of production. Furthermore, the geographical aspect matches Gray’s personal preferences. 

Atlanta’s timeline reads “now.” It’s time to win. Last season, they fell short to a talented Dodgers team in a meek four-game NLDS. 

During that series, Atlanta’s bullpen threw 23.2 innings (including openers); bona fide starters combined for 11.1 innings between Tyler Mahle and Sale. 

Ray Kerr, an opener during the series, was one of the best stories of the 2026 MLB season. He went from working at 7-11 to dominating in the playoffs (six scoreless innings). Still, you can’t consistently rely on Cinderella stories to win a championship. Gray is boringly good, and that’s exactly what the Braves need right now. 

With the youth on the IL set to return, the Braves can afford to pay handsomely for a veteran addition. Their rotation is already full of minuscule contracts (outside of Sale and Strider), and it wouldn’t kill them to make one big pitching splash. 

The offense is set. Atlanta doesn’t even have the roster flexibility to shift things around in its lineup (barring a big-time trade). Outside of shortstop, which is intrinsically weak this offseason, the Braves’ biggest question mark comes on the mound to start every game. 

Gray is potentially the most reliable pitcher available outside of the always-box-office Tarik Skubal. 

The Braves don’t need to overhaul their approach to reappear in the World Series; they need a sturdier foundation. 

If the right-hander wants a ring, his best bet of this crop is The A. The Braves made the NLDS last season while basically trotting out two starters. This pairing is easily the most impactful for both sides. 

Chicago Cubs 

Projected 2027 starting rotation: Justin Steele, Edward Cabrera, Braxton Garrett, Javier Assad, Jordan Wicks 

Of all MLB teams, the Chicago Cubs are the most desperate for pitching. You wanna talk injuries? Chi-Town was basically a hospital for misfortunate arms. 

Luckily, Chicago’s injury plague affected players on cheap deals, but that didn’t mean they weren’t skilled. 

Six different starting pitchers spent time on the Cubs’ IL: Steele (60-day), Matthew Boyd (2x 15-day), Jameson Taillon (15-day), Cabrera (3x 15-day), Cade Horton (15-day, 60-day), and Wicks (15-day). The Cubs have talent; it’s just hard to keep healthy. 

Gray’s aforementioned pedigree to stay on the field and produce fits what the Cubs have been searching for. After a year of prolific offense paired with forgettable pitching, the North Side has everything it needs for a major leap. 

The division rival Brewers just won a World Series. They’ll never spend more money. They’ll never outbid the Cubs. If anyone has a shot at pushing Milwaukee’s World Series hangover, it’s the Cubbies. 

That starts with the starters. Gray is an NL Central regular, having played for the Cardinals and Reds. In his career, the savvy right-hander has a 2.71 ERA and 109 Ks against the Baby Bears. Weaponizing an Achilles’ heel would be a nice offseason kickstarter. 

Chicago has the most funding of any team on this list to pursue Gray. If they want him, he’s theirs financially. 

It all comes down to the 37-year-old’s willingness to take a chance. Chicago is in the midst of a major overhaul on offense and on the pitching staff. 

No MLB team is losing more talent this offseason than the Cubs. Thus, Gray’s role would be much larger on the North Side. Logically, it’s a great fit. Financially, they only need a signature. Realistically, it’ll be up to Gray. 

San Diego Padres

Projected 2027 starting rotation: Joe Musgrove, Randy Vásquez, JP Sears, Jhonny Brito, Ryan Weiss

The San Diego Padres finished the 2026 season at the hands of the eventual champions. 

It was an up-and-down year for the Friars. Offensive struggles limited early-season success. Minimal offseason additions capped potential. Other than an authoritative bullpen, the Padres didn’t invoke much fear. 

And that’s what you want. You want teams to dread playing you. Either because you miss bats, or because your bats never miss. 

San Diego isn’t stuck in the middle ground. They’re formidable. On offense, future Hall of Fame third baseman Manny Machado has led the charge for years, and current stars Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr. contribute just as much. 

Free agency won’t significantly alter the Friars’ offense. Aside from first baseman Ty France (team leader with 4.5 bWAR) and a mediocre Miguel Andujar season, San Diego will keep most of its big bats. 

Pitching, however, is a completely different story. 

Michael King, Adrián Morejón, Jason Adam, Nick Pivetta, Robbie Ray, Griffin Canning, Germán Márquez, Casey Mize, Walker Buehler, and Lucas Giolito will all be free agents.

Read more

MLB

Top Landing Spots for Free Agent Michael King

MLB

Top Landing Spots for Free Agent Nick Pivetta

Those pitchers combined for 752.2 innings. Not to mention, they were relatively high-quality innings. San Diego finished 10th in baseball for cumulative team ERA. 

In its current projected rotation, Gray would likely start on opening day and function as an ace.

The “West Coast” of it all is objectionable, as Gray has expressed wanting to be close to his home in Tennessee. But, realistically, some of baseball’s biggest players in the starting pitcher market will come from Cali. 

Gray’s desire for a competitive environment pairs well with San Diego. Last season, fans packed Petco Park every game. The Padres finished second in the NL for attendance. 

With exhilarating calls, playoff success, and undeniable talent, the Padres have become a destination spot. 

New ownership should be motivated to make big splashes early on to retain the always-loyal fanbase after another season that ended in a loss. 

The Padres might not be Gray’s first choice, but from a roster construction standpoint, he’s exactly what they need. 

The MLB arms they orbited are departing, and one of baseball’s worst farm systems can’t be counted on to produce. 

Without major pitching staff additions, San Diego may take a big step backwards. 

Boston Red Sox 

Projected 2027 starting rotation: Garrett Crochet, Payton Tolle, Ranger Suarez, Jake Bennett, Brayan Bello 

Yes, this is a layup. That doesn’t make it wrong. 

Gray had a blissful season in Boston. He was a joy to watch. His career-best ERA should tell you all you need to know, but if you want more: 

• Gray’s 4.3 bWAR was far and away the best on the Red Sox pitching staff. In a year where they were mostly Garrett Crochet-less, that was a necessity. 
• Among AL starters, Gray was the seventh-best at avoiding long balls, a must-have at Fenway.
• Gray led the AL in left on-base percentage among pitchers with at least 100 innings. When things got dicy, he got dicier.  
• Gray’s 18 wins were the most by a Boston starter since Eduardo Rodriguez slammed 19 victories in 2019.
• Gray’s 3.53 win probability added was a career-best, topping his near-Cy Young season with the Twins in 2023.

Without Gray, the Red Sox rotation mellows. It’s still great, but it doesn’t hit the same. Gray’s output in his one-year stint is similar to that of other one-year Red Sox players Kyle Schwarber or Adrian Beltre. 

Obviously, they did their damage at the plate instead of on the mound, but it’s been a topic of conversation in Sox lore that neither was retained. 

Gray is the pitcher version. He’s the one who’s currently getting away. The Red Sox have multiple areas to address, so unlike other teams on this list, starting pitching may not be their number one priority. 

Still, with Gray, the Red Sox needed more. Without him? Who’s to say any other addition will make up for losing such a productive season on the hill? 

The Red Sox are operating from a standpoint of comfort. They know what Gray provides for their clubhouse and roster. The question remains: are both sides interested in a reunion? 

Gray back to Boston is a fit, but it wouldn’t automatically liberate the Red Sox from the Wild Card Series. They have other areas to allocate resources to. For those reasons, and some end-of-season Chad Tracy drama, they slot fourth. 

New York Mets 

Projected 2027 starting rotation: Nolan McLean, Christian Scott, Zac Thornton, Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea

Steve Cohen’s Mets are about to get busy. Cash flow is a resource, and the Mets are zealous to show off. 

After an appalling 74-88 season on a payroll that could fund a political campaign, New York will look to reload and bounce back. 

The projected rotation will not hold. This is based equally on the lack of bullpen talent and mistrust of current starters. 

Senga shifted into a relief role late last season and showed flashes of success. As for Manaea, the projected lefties in the Mets’ bullpen are Cionel Pérez and Nate Lavender. Not gonna cut it. That could prompt utilizing Manaea in a flex role. 

Though, if the Metropolitans sign Gray, he wasn’t their first choice. 

Let’s say the Skubal-favorite Mets miss their mark and their lefty. If the Cy Young free agent lands elsewhere, Gray is an easy pivot. 

He slides Manaea and/or Senga into the bullpen, turning them into matchup nightmares and rotational padding. Moreover, if the Mets went the Gray route, they’d have plenty of spare cash to fill the rest of the roster. 

Gray’s Yankee nightmares do come into question, as his enigmatic demeanor didn’t mix well with New York media. 

It could be a blessing in disguise that he despised the Bronx. The Mets feel the same. An easy bonding opportunity for a veteran who’d help anchor an otherwise inexperienced rotation. 

The obvious question: What about Jonah Tong? 

If the Mets add Gray, it’d block Tong’s lane. If New York wants to speed up its competitive window, the young righty may turn into a better trade chip than a contributor. 

The Mets fit Gray’s East Coast preference; they have the money, and they’re ready to compete (on paper). 

If POBO David Stearns wants to erase 2026, he needs a big 2027. Gray would be a great first step for a team that needs multiple big additions. 

Arizona Diamondbacks

Projected 2027 starting rotation: Eduardo Rodriguez, Brandon Pfaadt, Corbin Burnes, Merrill Kelly, Ryne Nelson

The biggest reach of our seven teams is the D-Backs. As previously mentioned, Gray’s family loyalties leave him eastbound, but the baseball reasoning behind this fit is sound. 

The Snakes are losing former ace Zac Gallen and solid 2026 contributor Michael Soroka to free agency; In their wake, inexperience and uncertainty reign. 

Arizona finished 86-76 last season, good for third in a tough NL West. As a unit, they have the talent to compete, but have lacked an extra push to get over the hump. 

The D-Backs ranked 18th in team ERA and 19th in starting pitcher ERA in 2026. And that was with an unbelievable year from Rodriguez and a sturdy Soroka. 

Now, they enter this year’s free agency with serious holes to address. One of the biggest reasons this would be a stretch is the lack of World Series upside, which is something Gray himself has emphasized. 

Disregarding personal preferences, it would position the D-Backs much better by shifting Ryne Nelson into a bullpen role and turning their 1-2-3 into a Corbin Burnes, Rodriguez, Gray archetype. 

In all likelihood, Gray’s addition would highlight the Snakes’ offseason. Arizona doesn’t have the financial flexibility to add multiple big deals, as it’s been rumored to be decreasing payroll. 

With that, the D-Backs are a Hail Mary. Baseball-wise, Gray would be great. But based on his comments about wanting to be close to home and the D-Backs’ shrinking checkbook, it’s rather unlikely. 

In any case, the Snakes will need arms. If not Gray, the bare minimum is adding depth. 

St. Louis Cardinals

Projected 2027 starting rotation: Kyle Leahy, Michael McGreevy, Quinn Mathews, Andre Pallante, Matthew Liberatore 

Gray pitched for St. Louis from 2024 to 2025 with mitigated success. He struck out the world, but the home run ball nipped at his cleats. 

His 2.9 bWAR across both seasons was less than half of his 2023 total (5.6 bWAR) with the Twins. He struck out 11 per nine in 2024, then 10 per nine in 2025. He also gave up 1.1 and 1.2 home runs per nine, respectively. 

His new groundball-major with an emphasis on sinkers might play better in front of Busch Stadium’s finest. 

Provocatively, all three Cardinals up for Gold Glove awards fell short. That was pitcher Michael McGreevy, second baseman phenom JJ Wetherholt, and perennial candidate shortstop Masyn Winn. 

If Gray went to the cavernous halls of Busch Stadium, fly balls would die, mitts would swallow grounders, and he’d be right next to his family. 

St. Louis POBO Chaim Bloom recently spoke with the media. He said the Cardinals expect to take things slow this offseason. 

That makes Gray unlikely. Still, if lockout shenanigans create a lane, don’t pass on the Cards getting shrewd and picking up their former ace for a hometown discount. 

The likelihood? Low. The fit? Makes sense. Gray openly admired St. Louis, and if the money is there, he might care more about how a city makes him feel than how badly it wants him.