Cubs-Red Sox blockbuster trade proposal ships 3-time All-Star to Chicago

The Chicago Cubs addressed their starting rotation during the offseason, swinging a trade to acquire Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins. But unfortunately for the Cubs, a season-ending elbow injury for Cade Horton, a freak Matthew Boyd meniscus injury and a Justin Steele setback have created a need for another pitcher.

Fortunately, Chicago has been rolling regardless of the issues with its starting rotation, but at some point, the injuries will catch up to them.

The Cubs failed to add a significant arm at the trade deadline last year, but it seems hard to imagine Jed Hoyer not making a push for an impactful hurler this time around. That’s especially with Chicago looking like a bona fide World Series contender right now.

While it’s still too early to identify clear trade targets, you can kind of get a feel for who might be available between now and Aug. 3.

On that note, Jake Misener of Cubbies Crib has pitched a very intriguing potential option for the Cubs: Boston Red Sox right-hander Sonny Gray.

The Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox could be trade partners

The Red Sox have gotten off to a miserable start over the first month-and-a-half of 2026, which resulted in the firing of manager Alex Cora and his entire staff.

Barring a jarring turnaround over the next several months, it seems likely that Boston could look to ship out some veterans at the deadline, and Gray seems like a prime candidate.

“Elsewhere, Sonny Gray makes sense – especially if the Marlins hold onto Sandy Alcantara and/or Joe Ryan’s injury turns out to be something serious,” Misener wrote. “Gray wouldn’t break the bank in the way those two would, but could add another veteran piece to the mix to solidify the Cubs’ starting rotation.”

We now know that Ryan’s elbow injury did not result in any structural damage, so it appears he’s fine. But it does seem doubtful that Chicago would match the Minnesota Twins’ asking price for Ryan, anyway. Gray is a far more realistic candidate.

The 36-year-old has posted a 3.54 ERA through six starts this season, although his 4.32 FIP and sudden dip in strikeouts (4.8 K/9) are certainly a bit concerning. The trade cost would probably be pretty low, although it should be noted that the Red Sox acquired Gray via trade with the St. Louis Cardinals themselves over the winter.

Gray is making $31 million this season, but $20 million of his 2026 salary is being covered by the Cardinals. He has a $30 mutual option for 2027, which features a $10 million buyout.

The veteran is a three-time All-Star who finished second in AL Cy Young award voting as recently as 2023 during his time with the Twins.

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