Atlanta Braves Should Eye Free Agent Starter For Intriguing Reason

After turning in a stellar season in the Boston Red Sox’s rotation, Sonny Gray is aiming to continue pitching with a strong desire to win a World Series.

The 36-year-old, who is set to be a free agent this offseason, will surely garner interest from a number of contenders. However, a reported potential desire for Gray may attract a certain team to look into signing the right-hander this offseason. 

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Gray might prefer to join a team that is geographically close to his home in Tennessee. In that case, the Atlanta Braves, who are more than likely to be in the thick of the starting pitcher market this offseason, present themselves as an automatic candidate to possibly pursue the right-handed starter.

Gray would be entering his age-37 year and his 15th season, and despite that, has continued to elevate his game year after year. He has pitched a near full season in each year of the last decade, as he ages with much poise. In 2026, he took his game a step further as well.

In his first season in Boston, Gray had an 18-5 record and posted a 2.72 ERA across 29 starts, as his ERA qualified for the best in his career. Gray had his best season since 2023, a season in which he finished as the AL Cy Young runner-up, and significantly improved his numbers from the 2025 year, when he had a 4.28 ERA in 32 starts.

Prior to the 2024 season, Gray had signed a three-year, $75 million deal with the St. Louis Cardinals, who had traded him to the Red Sox after two seasons with the team. The deal initially included a $30 million club option with a $5 million buyout for 2027, but that was converted into a mutual option to pave the way for Gray to waive his no-trade clause. 

Since that club option is no longer on the table, which would have been an easy decision for Boston to pick up, Gray will hit the free agent market with aspirations to continue making an impact on a contender. With his rumored geographical desires, the Braves are immediately an intriguing fit for the veteran.

Aside from being the closest MLB team to Gray’s hometown of Smyrna, Tennessee, which is roughly 200 miles out from Atlanta, the Braves are expected to be in the starting pitcher market after their rotation depth fell short down the stretch of the season.

Anchored by ace Chris Sale and Tyler Mahle, who proved to be one of the best trade deadline acquisitions, the Braves’ rotation depth proved to be slim when the postseason came around. 

Veteran Martín Pérez dealt with an injury late in the season that sidelined him in the postseason. The same fate held out Bryce Elder, who battled an injury in September after struggling mid-season. Reynaldo López also struggled over the year as he battled  through injuries.

Aside from Sale, Mahle and Grant Holmes, the Braves had an evident shortage of starters that could give the team innings throughout the year. Adding Gray to the mix would give the team a starter that has consistently been one of the league’s most productive arms over the past years, while also ensuring innings throughout the year. 

Ultimately, with Gray’s desire to play closer to home, a destination with the Braves could mold into the perfect mix for both sides.