RHP Sonny Gray declines option, joins list of 11 new free agents

Boston Red Sox right-hander Sonny Gray declined his side of a $30 million option for 2027 and heads a list of 11 new players to reach free agency with option decisions on contracts for next season.

Gray will receive a $10 million buyout to eliminate the final season on what was originally a three-year, $75 million contract he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals before the 2024 season. He was traded to the Red Sox in November of 2025.

Gray went 18-5 with a 2.72 ERA in 29 starts this past season, while tying the major league lead for wins, which were also a career high. The three-time All-Star will turn 37 on Nov. 7.

Other players to become free agents after options were resolved include Zach Eflin of the Baltimore Orioles, Matthew Boyd of the Chicago Cubs, Carson Kelly of the Cubs, Ryan Weiss of the Houston Astros, Carlos Estevez of the Kansas City Royals, Robert Stephenson of the Los Angeles Angels, Dustin May of the Milwaukee Brewers, Josh Bell of the Minnesota Twins, Michael King of the San Diego Padres and Victor Robles of the Seattle Mariners.

Eflin, 32, missed much of 2025 following back surgery and made just one appearance in 2026 before undergoing Tommy John surgery. He was set to receive a $2 million buyout after his $25 million option was declined by the Orioles. Boyd, 35, went 10-5 with a 3.91 ERA for the Cubs this past season and also triggered a $2 million buyout.

Estevez, 33, made just one appearance this past season after recording 42 saves in 2025, with the club declining his $13 million option while receiving a $2 million buyout. May, 29, pitched in five postseason games for the Brewers, including a start in Game 4 of the World Series before declining his option for 2027 and receiving a $500,000 buyout.

King, 31, went 12-10 with a 3.21 ERA in 32 starts for the Padres before he activated a $5 million buyout by declining the final two seasons of a three-year, $75 million deal.

--Field Level Media