Red Sox acquire iconic Yankees bust in splash pitching trade they promised

Sonny Gray has always seemed to prefer the comforts of a less-intense midwestern baseball environment. Now, he'll get a chance to see the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry from the other side and decide if he likes it any better.

Gray, the Yankees' major deadline acquisition during the summer of 2017, was essentially his normal self down the stretch that year before losing the shape of his pitches (at Larry Rothschild's urging) in a lost follow-up campaign. The relationship became untenable. He smirked through the pain, fully aware at every turn that he'd bounce back someday and the Yankees would live to regret their tinkering. Now? He'll get a chance to show them what they missed as a member of the Red Sox, waiving his no-trade clause to head to Boston.

Boston's leadership was transparent all November long that adding a bonafide No. 2 starter behind Garrett Crochet was their primary goal. Does Gray satisfy the goal? Or will they still be seeking Joe Ryan, despite all the top-tier pitching coming through their farm?

Regardless, Tuesday's splash represents another opportunity for one of the Yankees' dullest, caked-over old wounds to reopen this summer.

Red Sox trade for former Yankees deadline splash Sonny Gray in surprising move

Gray, now freshly 36 years old, was supposed to cost $25 million in 2026 with a team option for 2027. Boston is instead converting his 2026 salary into $31 million, and switching the team option to a mutual for $10 million. In essence, he could be bought out and make $41 million for a single season of Red Sox baseball. In exchange, Boston is sending 100 MPH-throwing helium alert lefty prospect Brandon Clarke, as well as former Yankees pitcher Richard Fitts. Make it make sense.

He's a three-time All-Star, and is coming off a 1.4-WAR season with a 4.28 ERA in 180 2/3 innings. He was more hittable last year than normal (185 of 'em, barrel percentage in the 23rd percentile), though he still missed bats with his 97th-percentile breaking ball and whiffed 201 batters.

Gray is obviously a nice-ish fit, but one has to wonder if he's in the Lucas Giolito tier for Boston, and whether they'll continue to aim higher for Ryan/Sandy Alcantara/Dylan Cease in free agency. If Gray's fated to be their No. 2 - and, really, Boston didn't have to add more than one rotation arm this winter, given the amount of mouths they already have to feed - that's iffy, at best, as he ages further beyond the curve of his prime.

Of course, he's also following in a long line of Yankees who wore out their welcome and tred directly to Fenway. The jury's still out on whether he'll be more like Aroldis Chapman or Greg Weissert.