A stellar Sonny Gray season could bring a big payday in free agency

Sonny Gray, 36, is having one of the best seasons of his career, and it could pave the way for a significant payday as a free agent if he decides to keep playing beyond 2026. This season he is 17-5 with a 2.76 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 140 strikeouts, numbers that helped the Red Sox improve and put the team near the second wild-card spot at 82-70.

According to Bleacher Report, MassLive’s Chris Cotillo explains that Gray could seek a deal similar to the three-year, $75 million contract the Rangers gave Nathan Eovaldi two years ago. However, Gray is not set on an automatic return: he has said he would retire “in a heartbeat” if his family expressed a desire for him to be home all year. Within the organization, those conversations are taken seriously; during off days this season he has visited family in Nashville regardless of the team’s location. When asked about retirement, he replied: “We can get into that at another time but not right now,” according to Cotillo.

It remains unclear whether Gray will end his career after this year, but if he keeps playing, his form and numbers could put him in line for a big offer in free agency. According to Bleacher Report, the club is seriously weighing the player’s wishes, while Gray aims to finish the season strongly to raise his value should he enter talks for a new contract.