Gray mulled retirement, but has reversed course.
Sonny Gray wasn’t happy immediately after his short start against the Yankees in the Wild Card series. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
One of MLB’s most dominant pitchers in the regular season said he wants to build on his incredible 2026 after considering retirement.
Sonny Gray, who won 18 games for the Boston Red Sox and captured headlines for his postgame comments after his team was eliminated by the New York Yankees, said he wants to pitch again in 2027. That doesn’t exclude the Red Sox.
“My family and I have talked about it and it’s an easy decision,” Gray said in a text to The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier. “I still want to win a World Series, whether that is [with] Boston or with whoever wants me.”
Gray, 36, expressed his discontent with manager Chad Tracy’s decision to pull him in the fifth inning during Game 2 of the Wild Card series.
“I would have liked to be trusted in that moment,” Gray said last week. “I would have liked [for Tracy] to live or die with me in that moment, but that’s the competitor I am.”
He also wouldn’t say whether he would continue his MLB career and declined to call Boston an option for him in 2027. Gray simply responded, “I don’t know” when asked in the clubhouse.
In the past week and change, Gray appears to have found an answer. The 14-year veteran will essentially be a free agent after the playoffs conclude, as he has a mutual option in his contract for the upcoming season.
Tracy said during the Red Sox’ end-of-season press conference earlier this week that he and Gray spoke and are on good terms. The groundwork seems to be set for a reunion if both sides agree to an extension.
“Yes, I have had a chance to talk to him. The relationship there is good,” Tracy said on Monday. “Was able to talk to him. [The relationship] is in a fine place while also understanding his feelings on it.”
Tracy also explained he “does trust Gray” despite pulling him from the do-or-die game after having thrown only 70 pitches.
Other members of the 2026 Red Sox reportedly felt Boston had “disrespected” Gray with the early hook, according to MassLive. Perhaps things have smoothed over since the heat of the moment, as it has with Gray.
Gray, despite his age, posted a career-low ERA (2.72) for the Red Sox and suffered just five losses. He was an All-Star Game snub for the ages and performed better than expected while filling the void left by Garrett Crochet for much of the year.
Running it back with Gray would be in Boston’s best interest. With an impending lockout as labor negotiations continue between the league and the players’ association, teams have until Dec. 1 to do just about anything, including signing and trading players.
Kaley BrownSports producer
Kaley Brown is a sports producer who covers breaking and trending news about the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox.
Get the latest Boston sports news
Receive updates on your favorite Boston teams, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.