Sonny Gray to the Redsox

[Pura Vida]

No irony that blooms first deal is with Boston.

Thinking the same thing. Is Tampa Bay next?

[Strummer Jones]

OH BOY

ANOTHER BONUS

THIS LIKELY MEANS

NO PALLANTE in the 2026 ROTATION!

(Especially if Bloom lands another starter when he deals Donny)

Probably not, barring injury.

And I like what I see in Fitts. He's not going to be starting game 1, but he'll be a decent and cheap back end of the rotation guy for a while. Plus, I've read he's a bit of a bulldog.

I will also say it's SUPER refreshing to see some creativity in this deal vis-a-vis Sonny's contract and no-trade clause. I cannot imagine the John Mozeliak of the past 10 years doing that. As well as the urgency. Mo didn't always wait until the 11th hour. If I remember right, he got Sonny around this time of year, just before Thanksgiving. And then signed Gibson and Lynn later that week and called it quits. Knowing the Bloom still has a lot in front of him is exciting!

[zuck698]

OH BOY

ANOTHER BONUS

THIS LIKELY MEANS

NO PALLANTE in the 2026 ROTATION!

(Especially if Bloom lands another starter when he deals Donny)

Probably not, barring injury.

And I like what I see in Fitts. He's not going to be starting game 1, but he'll be a decent and cheap back end of the rotation guy for a while. Plus, I've read he's a bit of a bulldog.

I will also say it's SUPER refreshing to see some creativity in this deal vis-a-vis Sonny's contract and no-trade clause. I cannot imagine the John Mozeliak of the past 10 years doing that. As well as the urgency. Mo didn't always wait until the 11th hour. If I remember right, he got Sonny around this time of year, just before Thanksgiving. And then signed Gibson and Lynn later that week and called it quits. Knowing the Bloom still has a lot in front of him is exciting!

Worst case with Fitts, it still has to be better than seeing Lizard Man throwing soft toss for 5 innings every start. I love the trade and it shows that Bloom isn't any Slo Mo. Hopefully he keeps this up for the duration of his tenure.

[rockondlouie]

OH BOY

ANOTHER BONUS

THIS LIKELY MEANS

NO PALLANTE in the 2026 ROTATION!

(Especially if Bloom lands another starter when he deals Donny)

Probably not, barring injury.

And I like what I see in Fitts. He's not going to be starting game 1, but he'll be a decent and cheap back end of the rotation guy for a while. Plus, I've read he's a bit of a bulldog.

I will also say it's SUPER refreshing to see some creativity in this deal vis-a-vis Sonny's contract and no-trade clause. I cannot imagine the John Mozeliak of the past 10 years doing that. As well as the urgency. Mo didn't always wait until the 11th hour. If I remember right, he got Sonny around this time of year, just before Thanksgiving. And then signed Gibson and Lynn later that week and called it quits. Knowing the Bloom still has a lot in front of him is exciting!

The thing I also like strummer is these two are young starters, they have plenty of time to grow!

[renostl]

it's a good trade....face value, early indications. I'm elated. Of course you grade much later (several seasons), but again, early indications, he did well here.

Ditto

We don't know the final cash BDWJr sent but could be as much as $15M(?) in payroll savings that he could let Bloom re-invest!

20MM per MLBTR

That's a net $15M savings, sure hope Dewitt let's Bloom reinvest it!

It's a 20M savings. We were on the hook for the 35M salary and then the 5M buyout. Now we pay 20M, save 20M.

You are correct, and I don't understand why folks Kept missing the Cards owed SG
at least $40 million.

Cards got Boston's #12 prospect in 2024 in 26 y/o RHP Fitts and with years of control.
The #5 in 2025 23 y/o LHP Clarke with years of control and saved $20 million. A potential to
turn 1 pitcher with a single year into 3 or 4.

Boston got a #2 or #3 for that Boston rotation for $21 million and prospects

SG got $1 million to wave his NTC and get a shot at the post season.

One factor that I appreciate here is the earliness' of the trade in this off season.
Not the same old Cardinals that teams could circle back to if other deals fell through.
Bloom just said it you want anyone don't wait "for the market to develop".

[scoutyjones2]

Clarke has had more major arm injuries and trouble staying healthy than even Tink Hence. He’s never reached 40 IP in a minor league season. He’s had huge K/9 numbers though, so he’s the typical boom or bust prospect teams get back in a salary dump trade.

He's no even reached 40!innings across 4 years.

Turns 23.

This is a lottery pick.

Agreed and as expected but this kid could have big upside

BUT

There could also be $15M ????? in payroll space savings, hopefully BDWJr let's Bloom re-invest it!

We will see

[ScotchMIrish]

Bet. High level third base prospect or left fielder. Any takers.

Nope, a 26 yo bad pitcher, an injury risk who hasn't surpassed A ball, and a PTBNL.

Fitts in 10 MLB starts went less than 5 innings 6 times and only pitched on 4 days rest once. Clarke will likely be a one inning reliever. Potential setup man or closer. If he uses the money saved to sign a respectable MLB player then it's about as good as could be expected.

[Carp4Cy]

Bet. High level third base prospect or left fielder. Any takers.

Nope, a 26 yo bad pitcher, an injury risk who hasn't surpassed A ball, and a PTBNL.

If he uses the money saved ...

Just for once, I'd like to see the signings happen first, then trade off the surplus to balance the budget.

[rockondlouie]

Clarke has had more major arm injuries and trouble staying healthy than even Tink Hence. He’s never reached 40 IP in a minor league season. He’s had huge K/9 numbers though, so he’s the typical boom or bust prospect teams get back in a salary dump trade.

He's no even reached 40!innings across 4 years.

Turns 23.

This is a lottery pick.

Agreed and as expected but this kid could have big upside

BUT

There could also be $15M ????? in payroll space savings, hopefully BDWJr let's Bloom re-invest it!

We will see

Now we know it's $20M savings with the Cardinals paying $20M of Sonny's salary

[rockondlouie]

12:05pm: The two teams have announced the trade. The Cardinals will also receive a player to be named later or cash, per the announcement. -mlbtr

[renostl]

Bet. High level third base prospect or left fielder. Any takers.

Nope, a 26 yo bad pitcher, an injury risk who hasn't surpassed A ball, and a PTBNL.

Fitts in 10 MLB starts went less than 5 innings 6 times and only pitched on 4 days rest once. Clarke will likely be a one inning reliever. Potential setup man or closer. If he uses the money saved to sign a respectable MLB player then it's about as good as could be expected.

Ok,
But be complete, how many innings will SG pitch for $40 million and does
that $20 million buy anything or go into the pockets of BD?

[JohnnyMO]

Has anyone in Boston looked at Gray's history in and against the AL East?

[rockondlouie]

Fitts had a 20.5% strikeout rate and an 8.2% walk rate.


But he gave up 11 homers or 2.20 HR/9 innings.

[Strummer Jones]

OH BOY

ANOTHER BONUS

THIS LIKELY MEANS

NO PALLANTE in the 2026 ROTATION!

(Especially if Bloom lands another starter when he deals Donny)

Probably not, barring injury.

And I like what I see in Fitts. He's not going to be starting game 1, but he'll be a decent and cheap back end of the rotation guy for a while. Plus, I've read he's a bit of a bulldog.

I will also say it's SUPER refreshing to see some creativity in this deal vis-a-vis Sonny's contract and no-trade clause. I cannot imagine the John Mozeliak of the past 10 years doing that. As well as the urgency. Mo didn't always wait until the 11th hour. If I remember right, he got Sonny around this time of year, just before Thanksgiving. And then signed Gibson and Lynn later that week and called it quits. Knowing the Bloom still has a lot in front of him is exciting!

The thing I also like strummer is these two are young starters, they have plenty of time to grow!

That too. Arrow up. I ain't mad at that.

[rockondlouie]

OH BOY

ANOTHER BONUS

THIS LIKELY MEANS

NO PALLANTE in the 2026 ROTATION!

(Especially if Bloom lands another starter when he deals Donny)

Probably not, barring injury.

And I like what I see in Fitts. He's not going to be starting game 1, but he'll be a decent and cheap back end of the rotation guy for a while. Plus, I've read he's a bit of a bulldog.

I will also say it's SUPER refreshing to see some creativity in this deal vis-a-vis Sonny's contract and no-trade clause. I cannot imagine the John Mozeliak of the past 10 years doing that. As well as the urgency. Mo didn't always wait until the 11th hour. If I remember right, he got Sonny around this time of year, just before Thanksgiving. And then signed Gibson and Lynn later that week and called it quits. Knowing the Bloom still has a lot in front of him is exciting!

The thing I also like strummer is these two are young starters, they have plenty of time to grow!

That too. Arrow up. I ain't mad at that.

Just found out Fitts also has the full six years of control and a couple options left too.

I'm very happy w/the deal and hopeful Dewitt let's Bloom reinvest that $20m!

[Jatalk]

Clarke has had more major arm injuries and trouble staying healthy than even Tink Hence. He’s never reached 40 IP in a minor league season. He’s had huge K/9 numbers though, so he’s the typical boom or bust prospect teams get back in a salary dump trade.

He's no even reached 40!innings across 4 years.

Turns 23.

This is a lottery pick.

Agreed and as expected but this kid could have big upside

BUT

There could also be $15M ????? in payroll space savings, hopefully BDWJr let's Bloom re-invest it!

We will see

This trade should be graded on how they spend the contract money saved not how much they saved or prospects they got.

You seem skeptical. Me too.