Garrett Crochet

Will Sonny Gray slot in behind Garrett Crochet as the Red Sox' No. 2 starter next season? Here's why the veteran right-hander is capable of stepping up.

The Red Sox made their needed addition to the upper half of the rotation with this morning’s Sonny Gray trade. The veteran righty slots between Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello in an impressive top three. The Sox have a handful of talented younger arms (e.g. Payton Tolle, Connelly Early, Kyle Harrison, Tyler Uberstine) who can compete with injury returnees Kutter Crawford…

Boston gets the postseason-caliber starter it needed without having to make a long-term commitment. The Cardinals will chip in $20 million of the $40 million (now $41 million after a trade kicker) Gray was owed in the final year of his backloaded three-year, $75 million contract. $10 million of that $40 million comes in the form of a buyout of a $30 million mutual option for 2028. Gray had a 4.28 ERA last season, but it came with a 201/38 K/BB in 180 2/3 innings. After dealing with some mid-career durability issues, he's made 92 starts the last three seasons, striking out 587 hitters over 531 innings. He'll join Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello in Boston's rotation, with Paxton Crawford currently favored for the fourth spot and then Patrick Sandoval, Connelly Early, Payton Tolle and Kyle Harrison potentially battling it out for the fifth.

The Red Sox are acquiring the three-time All-Star to boost their rotation behind Garrett Crochet

Garrett Crochet, Clay Holmes, Seth Lugo and others have all made the move recently. Who could be next?