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The Red Sox are in freefall mode. Perhaps if they continue to struggle, it will lead to them parting ways with a veteran pitcher.

The Boston Red Sox are off to a dreadful start this season. At 14-21, they have the third-worst record in the American League and sit in last place in the AL East. A lot has gone wrong, and it even led to them firing manager Alex Cora and five other coaches.

They’re playing a little bit better lately, but still aren’t in a good position, so things need to change quickly if they want to return to the postseason. If they can’t turn things around, then they may ultimately decide to sell at the trade deadline.

The Red Sox only have one player on an expiring contract, that being right-hander Sonny Gray. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com listed him as somebody that might be on the move at the deadline.

“If Boston ultimately becomes a seller, Sonny Gray could become trade bait come July,” Feinsand wrote. “The Red Sox are off to a disappointing start, though even entering Monday at 13-21, Boston was only three games back in the AL Wild Card race; in fact, no team in the AL was more than 3 1/2 games out of a playoff spot with three-quarters of the season still to be played.”

Will Boston Trade Sonny Gray?

Gray is in the final year of a three-year, $75 million contract he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals prior to the 2024 season. St. Louis traded him to Boston last offseason as part of their rebuild under former Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom.

The 36-year-old right-hander is 2-1 with a 4.30 ERA in five starts this year. He is currently sidelined after suffering a hamstring injury towards the end of April.

However, a contending team will likely show interest in him if the Red Sox are out of the race. He has been a Cy Young candidate before, and could benefit a team looking to make a run to the postseason.

The Red Sox might not get much back for him because of the salary he is being paid through this season, but they could get something in return if they trade him away. He is still a serviceable arm that can eat innings when he’s healthy, so there is merit to acquiring him for teams in the race.

He has a club option for 2027 as well, so he could be more than just a rental. But if the Red Sox can’t fix things, they’re going to have to start thinking about selling at the deadline, and he could be one of the first players to go.

Gray Trade Depends on Red Sox Place in Standings

As Feinsand notes, the Red Sox are only three games back of the final AL wild card spot, so they aren’t buried just yet. In fact, only two teams in the American League wouldn’t be in last place in the National League Central, a division in which every team is above .500.

So, Boston still has a chance to make things right before the end of the season. If they’re still alive in the standings, then it might be best for them to hold onto Gray.