Stunning Admission in Boston: Sonny Gray Move Proves Red Sox MUST Land Twins’ Star Joe Ryan.vc
BOSTON, MA – The Boston Red Sox’s blockbuster acquisition of Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals was a bold statement, but it came with a stunning, unspoken admission: Gray is not the only front-line starter the team needs. The move has only amplified the need for the Red Sox to aggressively pursue the Minnesota Twins’ 29-year-old All-Star, Joe Ryan, in a quality pitching deal.
The Sonny Gray Calculus: Good, But Not Enough
Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow has been clear all offseason: the goal was to acquire a legitimate No. 2 starter to pair with ace Garrett Crochet. While Gray, a three-time All-Star, is a quality veteran addition, the nature of his contract—a restructured one-year deal with a mutual option—suggests he is more of a high-end rental and a clear upgrade over a back-end arm like Lucas Giolito (who declined his option).
The Gray deal was highly efficient, with the Cardinals sending $20 million to Boston, meaning the Red Sox are only paying $21 million for one season of a durable, high-strikeout pitcher. However, this financial efficiency was also strategic: it preserves the necessary capital to chase the Twins’ star.
Joe Ryan: The Unfinished Business
The star pitcher in question is Joe Ryan.
- Age and Control: At 29 years old, Ryan offers two remaining seasons of team control before free agency, a massive advantage over Gray’s one-year deal.
- Performance: Ryan is coming off a sensational 2025 season where he posted a 3.42 ERA over 31 starts and 171 innings, earning his first All-Star nod. He is precisely the “true No. 2 option behind Crochet” that many analysts and fans believe the Red Sox still lack.
The Red Sox were reportedly close to acquiring Ryan at the 2025 trade deadline, with talks breaking down when the Twins asked for big-league outfielders like Jarren Duran or Wilyer Abreu.
The Gray Admission: Why Ryan is Essential
The acquisition of Gray, who is 36, confirms that the Red Sox are willing to spend and trade prospects (Brandon Clarke and Richard Fitts were sent to St. Louis) for pitching. Now, the logic dictates that the front office must follow through on their high ambitions.
- Redefining the Rotation Floor: A rotation featuring Crochet, Ryan, Gray, and Brayan Bello instantly elevates Boston from a Wild Card contender to a genuine threat in the competitive AL East. Gray provides insurance; Ryan provides the high-end talent to win playoff games.
- Increased Urgency in Minnesota: The Twins are now seen as a club in flux, focusing on a youth movement. The Sonny Gray trade, which netted the Cardinals two young pitchers and cost Boston significant prospects, may have emboldened the Twins to ask for an even higher price for Ryan.
The Red Sox Sonny Gray move was the first domino. The truly stunning step—the one that will define this offseason and the 2026 championship ambitions—is now completing the unfinished business and landing Joe Ryan.
