Blue Jays should bolster rotation with trade for Red Sox All-Star starter

The Toronto Blue Jays' top goal of the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline should be to improve their pitching depth. This is especially the case when it comes to their rotation, as they could use another high-impact starter. When looking at trade candidates around the majors, Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Sonny Gray stands out as an interesting potential option for the Blue Jays to consider.

With how this season has gone for the Red Sox, there is a real expectation that they will be sellers at this year's deadline. The Red Sox are currently at the bottom of the American League East with a 30-43 record (On Jun. 21) and have lost four out of their last five games. Because of this, Gray has been among the most talked about trade candidates in the league with the deadline less than two months away.

While some teams may hesitate to trade within the division, it is possible that the Red Sox could be willing to complete a deal centering around Gray with the Blue Jays if they received the right offer. In 2018, ahead of the Red Sox winning the World Series, the Blue Jays gave the Red Sox their missing ingredient by trading them Steve Pearce for Santiago Espinal. Pearce went on to win the World Series MVP award, while Espinal gave the Blue Jays several good seasons, including being an All-Star in 2022.

So while it's rare, it's not completely unheard of for the Blue Jays and the Red Sox to come together to make a deal. The Blue Jays also sent the Red Sox catcher Danny Jansen at the 2024 deadline.

Meantime, Gray has a mutual option for the 2027 season, meaning he has the power to test free agency next season. With this, Boston could be open to moving him to Toronto or another club and the Blue Jays should not be afraid to make a push for the 36-year-old righty.

Gray would give the Blue Jays' rotation a major boost if acquired

Gray has been putting together a solid season for the Red Sox, and it is clear that he would be a strong addition to the Blue Jays' roster if acquired. In 13 appearances he has an impressive 8-1 record to go along with a 3.12 ERA and 55 strikeouts. With numbers like these, the three-time All-Star is demonstrating that he can still make a major impact, even at 36-year-old.

Ultimately, with the Blue Jays needing more pitching help, it would be excellent if they struck a deal with the Red Sox to land Gray. He could be a strong addition to the middle of their rotation and would also give them another veteran pitcher with a lot of experience. They are adding Shane Bieber back to the rotation, activating him off the Injured List for Monday (Jun. 22).

Gray will draw interest from many other contenders, and so the Blue Jays will have their work cut out for them. But with so many teams potentially focused on the likes of Tarik Skubal, Freddy Peralta and Sandy Alcantara, the Blue Jays may not specifically need to add an ace - but a upgrade on Patrick Corbin at the back end is exactly what Gray can give them.

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