cardinalsfever44 wrote: ↑25 Nov 2025 10:36 am
Source confirms: Sonny Gray traded from Cardinals to Red Sox. Contract being reworked to one-year plus mutual option. 2026 salary will be $31M, mutual option buyout of $10M. Gray essentially getting $41M for one year.
I appreciated Sonny Gray's contributions. I don't blame him for wanting to jump out of a sinking ship. 41 million to top that, so good for him. I don't understand how we are better when we trade off a starting pitcher who produced much more than expected on a transitioning team.
Clarke bounced back from Tommy John surgery as a junior to become Virginia's best prep pitching prospect in 2021. He developed thoracic issues while coming back from his elbow reconstruction, so he redshirted at Alabama in 2022 and worked just 3 2/3 innings the following year at the State JC of Florida (Manatee-Sarasota). He became the best junior college prospect in the 2024 Draft, leading Florida juco pitchers with 107 strikeouts in 74 1/3 frames last spring and impressing at the MLB Draft Combine before signing with the Red Sox for a below-slot $400,000 as a fifth-rounder.
Clarke throws harder than most lefty starters, sitting at 95-98 mph and reaching 100, though his fastball features more downhill plane than riding or running action. He has unveiled a devastating slider this season, with the pitch operating in the upper 80s and touching 91 mph with huge sweep as well as depth. He has relieved heavily on his heater and slide piece, rarely using an upper-70s curveball and an upper-80s changeup with some mild fade, both of which he struggles to land for strikes.
Still very much a work in progress, Clarke stands out more with his athleticism and quick arm than his polish. He gets down the mound well, creating a low release height with plenty of extension, but he lacks a smooth delivery and currently doesn't repeat it easily enough to have more than fringy control. He comes with a high ceiling and a good deal of reliever risk, making him an intriguing development project.
I would guess not any of Boston's top 10 prospects. A top 20 prospect and a lottery ticket sounds about right. Anything more than that would be a big win for Bloom. Can't wait to find out.
JohnnyMO wrote: ↑25 Nov 2025 10:42 am
I would guess not any of Boston's top 10 prospects. A top 20 prospect and a lottery ticket sounds about right. Anything more than that would be a big win for Bloom. Can't wait to find out.
So what does this instantly tell us. One, they will waive no trades. Two, see ya Willy. Three, staff will be young guns headed by Libby, four, anyone is available.
JohnnyMO wrote: ↑25 Nov 2025 10:42 am
I would guess not any of Boston's top 10 prospects. A top 20 prospect and a lottery ticket sounds about right. Anything more than that would be a big win for Bloom. Can't wait to find out.
We got their #5 prospect and another pitcher.
If that turns out to be legit that's a very good deal for St. Louis. Major props to Bloom. Seems like an overpay for Boston. Unless we sent them a ton of cash?
Last edited by JohnnyMO on 25 Nov 2025 10:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
