Red Sox may have chased Sonny Gray out of Boston with bullpen decision

The Boston Red Sox saw their season come to a close on Wednesday night. But an early playoff exit may be the least of their concerns going into the offseason.

Roughly a week after having the interim tag removed from his title and his contract extended through the 2029 season, Red Sox manager Chad Tracy made the controversial decision in the second game of his MLB postseason career to pull his starter in the fifth inning in favor of reliever Erik Miller – exactly mirroring his first bullpen move in game 1 of the wild-card series the night before.

And, as they did on Tuesday, the New York Yankees wasted no time in jumping on Miller and extending their lead in game 2, ultimately clinching their sweep of Boston and punching their ticket to meet the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS.

On Tuesday, it was rookie Payton Tolle who got the early hook. But on Wednesday, it was veteran ace Sonny Gray who made way for the already-worked Miller. And as much as that decision brought closure to Boston's 2026 campaign, the knock-on effects of that move may very well stretch into 2027.

Sonny Gray disagreed with bullpen decision

Speaking to reporters after the game, Gray made it clear that he did not agree with Tracy's decision to go to the bullpen when he did.

"I felt good," Gray said, via MLB.com. "I felt sharp. I felt like I was just out there competing...I'm frustrated for sure, not ready for it to end. 

"I think I'm the best pitcher in the American League going through the order the third time," Gray continued. "I think that's a fact. Yeah, I mean, I would have liked to live or die with me in that moment, but that's the competitor I am...I would have liked to been trusted in that moment."

Baseball is a business, as they say, and Gray has been through plenty of business over the last 13 years of his career. A poor relationship can sour even the best deals.

So it felt damning when Gray was asked whether Tracy, as his manager, had offered him any explanation for the decision to take him out.

The pitcher's response: "No."

Aging veteran now uncertain over future with Boston

Gray joined the Red Sox via trade from the St. Louis Cardinals ahead of the 2026 season, a deal that involved reworking the right-hander's contract to include a mutual option for 2027. Now, Gray's likelihood of triggering that option has been cast into serious doubt.