Red Sox Pitcher Open to Waiving No-Trade Clause

The Red Sox would be wise to capitalize on this value now, with the aging right-hander heading towards a 2027 mutual option that includes a $10 million buy-out if the club wants to move on or an opt-out clause for Gray which would forfeit this deferred payment.

But of course, Boston will need his blessing to make a move. On Sunday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe provided a significant update on Gray's willingness to accept a trade this season.

"If someone came to me from the Red Sox and made a decision that's the direction that this team is going to go, I would be open for a conversation," Gray told Healey.

Gray has done his part, but the results have not been there around him and the original goal of sending him to the mound to start postseason games is looking less and less likely. He spoke candidly about the current experience in Boston last week, saying "it’s very frustrating. We’re not good; we’re just not a good team right now, and that’s just a fact.”

Another potential roadblock for Gray will be the price tag. The Cardinals did eat $20 million of his 2026 salary when moving him, but at $11 million this year plus either $10 million for the buy-out or $30 million in salary next year, it could be difficult to find a trade partner with the flexibility to bring him on.

Since it has been over 10 years since a mutual option was actually exercised in MLB, Gray will be viewed as a rental by acquiring teams. That said, there are plenty of contending teams with an interest in bolstering their starting rotation (Cubs, White Sox, Braves, Padres, Dodgers).

Whether he would like to be traded to any of these teams remains to be seen, but his willingness to have the conversation is certainly a major development. As we inch closer to the August 3rd deadline, it will be interesting to see if additional clarification comes out about both Gray and Contreras's stance on a potential move.