Red Sox Notes: Boston ‘checked all the boxes’ for Sonny Gray; Wong healthy after surgery; Ketel Marte and Cole Ragans fuel trade speculation

Before the Red Sox could finalize their pursuit of right-hander Sonny Gray, one obstacle stood in the way: his no-trade clause. But the moment Gray learned Boston was the destination on the table, any hesitation vanished. He immediately waived the clause and informed the Cardinals that he was ready—desperate, even—for a change of scenery.

“I just expressed that it would probably be beneficial for me and my family to maybe go to a different situation, a different organization that was maybe going a little bit more all-in for the next year or two in trying to win a World Series,” said Gray in a Zoom call with reporters on Tuesday. “That’s kind of where I’m at in my career and my life.

“I definitely haven’t accomplished everything in the game that I want to and a deep run in the postseason and winning a World Series is definitely one of those things.”

On the eve of Thanksgiving, the Cardinals and Red Sox struck a three-player deal that sent Sonny Gray to Boston—delivering the Red Sox another frontline starter that was on the offseason wishlist. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has prioritized adding starting pitching that can impact the top of the rotation to slot in behind left-handed ace Garrett Crochet.

“He told me the team, and he said, ‘Red Sox,’ and immediately in my head I was like, ‘Yes!’” recounted Gray. “I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity to play for the Red Sox. I’m looking forward to the year. I really, really am.”

Once Gray learned he would be calling Boston home for 2026, he reached out to former teammate Steven Matz, whom the Sox acquired at the trade deadline. The southpaw had nothing but great things to say about his limited time with the Red Sox.

“I kind of followed along last year and the situation Boston was in,” said Gray. “I really felt like it would be a really good situation. I always said I wanted to go to a market that was super competitive, a big market that wants to win. I know I can thrive in that situation. Boston just checked all the boxes for me.”

With the trade completed, Gray has been having conversations with Alex Cora and pitching coach Andrew Bailey. The veteran also plans to join Crochet to do offseason workouts after the New Year.

Gray is excited about sharing a clubhouse with young players “hungry” to win.

“We have a chance to win a World Series, we have a chance to make a deep playoff run, and I just want to be a part of it,” said Gray.

For the moment, Crochet and Gray stand as the Red Sox’ formidable one-two punch atop the rotation. And Boston’s new No. 2 starter is more than just eager—he’s genuinely thrilled—to join forces with Crochet, whose electrifying first season in Boston nearly earned him the American League Cy Young Award. Crochet ultimately finished second to Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, who captured the honor for the second straight year, but his breakout campaign made one thing clear: Gray is pairing up with a rising superstar.

“That’s something that I couldn’t be happier about,” said Gray. “(He’s) someone I can lean on, someone I can follow, someone that I can teach, someone I can learn from, someone who can push me, someone that I can push. Those are all important things for me.

“I’m looking forward to building a better relationship than we already have. That’s already started, but it will continue when we pick up the baseball together and get to talk pitching, talk family, and learn a little bit more about each other. That will happen soon.”

Gray is no stranger to the American League East. He spent a turbulent year and a half with the Yankees—a stint he’s never pretended to enjoy. Now in Boston, the veteran didn’t hold back when reflecting on his time in the Bronx, firing pointed shots at the so-called Evil Empire. His comments spread quickly, lighting up Red Sox social media and catching the attention of his new teammates, who welcomed the candor.

“I never wanted to go there in the first place,” said Gray in a Zoom call with reporters Tuesday, a week after being dealt to the Red Sox. “It just wasn’t a good situation for me. It wasn’t a great setup for me and my family. I never wanted to go there. It just didn’t really work for who I am.

“I do appreciate my time there, because in the last seven years of my life, I’ve been a better baseball player, husband, and everything from having that experience and going through that. I just feel like I learned so much after going through that. I just wasn’t myself. I just didn’t feel like I was allowed to go out there and be Sonny.”

During a Zoom session with reporters, Gray appeared