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Over the entire 2026 season, the Boston Red Sox have had the best pitching staff in the MLB, and their rotation has been the stars leading it, even without their Cy Young runner-up ace, Garrett Crochet.
In Crochets absence, three-time All-Star and also former Cy Young runner-up Sonny Gray has taken his place as acting ace, and has been dominating.
Hes been doing so well, in fact, Boston might need to consider rewarding the veteran with an extension.
Gray has been dominant in 2026 Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images Last season, Gray looked good, but not like his former All-Star and Cy Young candidate self., He finished with a 14-8 record, a 4.28 ERA but a 3.39 FIP, 201 Ks, and a 1.234 WHIP over 180 innings pitched.
However, something changed this season.
Hes posted a 12-2 record, a 2.78 ERA, 93 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.163 over 106 innings pitched.
While hes had an injury stint, and hes nowhere near where he was in punchouts last season, Hes lowered his ERA tremendously, and become a much better winner.
Boston has set the precedent with veteran extensions Imagn Images Even though Gray is 36 years old, Boston has set a precedent already when it comes to extending overachieving veterans.
Aroldis Chapman signed a one-year deal in 2025 to be the Red Soxs new closer, at 37 years old.
He then posted a 1.17 ERA, 32 saves, and 85 Ks in 67 games.
This earned him a two-year extension, with the second year being a mutual option based on the condition that he pitches 40+ innings in 2026, and passes an end-of-year physical.
Gray deserves it Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images By the same logic, Gray deserves an extension, even if its a short one.
Currently, he has a $30 million mutual option for next season, but if Boston were to offer him a two-year extension for a little over half that each year, he might take it.
Gray has really stepped up in Crochets absence as the ace of the Red Sox staff, and has truly succeeded.
Also, Boston needs to remember hes also the only righty in their starting rotation.
If they lose him, theyll have to go through the trouble of finding someone else, who might not be as good.
Hopefully, Boston can work something out, and keep Gray there for a couple more seasons.
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