Top 3 Landing Spots For Free Agent Pitcher Sonny Gray
Things just didn't end well for veteran Sonny Gray in Boston. In his final postseason start, he was pulled in the 5th inning by Red Sox manager Chad Tracy having surrendered just one run to the Yankees to that point. After the game, he was none too happy about the short leash, saying, “I think I’m the best pitcher in the American League going through the order a third time. I think that’s a fact,” Gray said. “I would have liked to have been trusted in that moment.”
Since then, Gray has declined his mutual option, and has announced that he intends to pitch another season, foregoing retirement. So if we can assume that the Red Sox are out after that sour ending, where might the 37-year-old three-time All-Star land?
3 top landing spots have been linked to Gray coming off his career-best season:
Atlanta Braves
There are many around the sport who feel that the Braves could make a run at Gray, having had success with veteran pitchers before (see: Sale, Chris).
I feel like the Atlanta Braves would be a good destination for Sonny Gray this offseason. Closer to home. Winning organization.
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) October 1, 2026
Indeed, the 14-year veteran is from Tennessee, and he was linked to the Braves back in the summer before the trade deadline. Atlanta could use more proven depth in its rotation.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Jays pitching staff will be undergoing a renovation this offseason, with Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer headed to free agency, Kevin Gausman long gone, and Cody Ponce and Jose Berrios trying to come back from year-long injury absences. Plugging a solid veteran like Gray into the rotation with Dylan Cease and youngsters Jose Soriano and Trey Yesavage seems like a Blue Jays kind of move.
San Diego Padres
The Friars are another team that will need to fill some holes in the rotation. With Michael King, Nick Pivetta and Robby Ray all becoming free agents, and Yu Darvish's future in question after sitting out the entire 2026 season, the Padres have some work to do to replenish their starting staff. Gray would be a nice, solid addition.