The Cincinnati Reds have an opening in their rotation, and Sonny Gray would be about as intriguing a solution as they could hope for.
Hunter Greene is out for all of 2027, Brady Singer is headed to free agency, and that leaves Chase Burns, Andrew Abbott and Nick Lodolo as the sure things. Brandon Williamson, Rhett Lowder, Julian Aguiar and a few others can battle for the fifth spot, but the Reds cannot afford to simply hope two of those younger arms are ready to carry the load.
At a minimum, Cincinnati needs a reliable innings eater for the back end of the rotation. If the club really wants to chase contention, the bar ought to be higher than that.
That’s where Gray enters the picture. He would be expensive, but the structure might actually make sense for the Reds: one big year, not a long-term commitment.
Cincinnati has shown a willingness to put real money on the table for a short-term rotation fix before, as with the qualifying offer for Nick Martinez, and Gray could fit that kind of move. The twist is that Gray had considered retirement earlier in the season, but after the Boston Red Sox’s disappointing postseason exit, he has said he wants to pitch again in 2027.
There’s a lot to like on the baseball side. Gray is turning 37 on November 7, and he just posted one of the best seasons of his career, finishing with a 2.72 ERA in 29 starts and 169 innings. If 2027 is going to be his last run, he figures to want a place where he can chase a ring and, as the source material suggests, ride off into the sunset with something to show for it.
On paper, that could point him back to Boston. If money and contention were the only factors, he might simply pick up the mutual option he shares with the Red Sox. Boston would probably be interested, too, which is what makes the option unusual in the first place.
But Gray’s history tells another story. He has never seemed fully at ease in big markets, and his struggles with the New York Yankees were already well documented.
Boston was not exactly a perfect fit either. He was unhappy about being removed early from Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series, and when asked whether he wanted to return to the Red Sox, he answered, "I don't know."
Some pretty pointed comments from Sonny Gray about when he was pulled. Very emotional.
Made a point to highlight how good he's been the 3rd time through the order. pic.twitter.com/xHTVId2iFJ
- Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) October 1, 2026
That’s the catch for Cincinnati. If Gray wants to win but is already ruling out New York, Boston and possibly Los Angeles because of the media pressure, the list of realistic destinations gets a lot shorter. Milwaukee and Tampa Bay could be in play if they’re willing to make a one-year splash, and if those clubs pass, the Reds might have a shot.
Still, this would be a long shot for Cincinnati. Gray would probably view the Reds as more of a fallback than a preferred destination, and if they want to give themselves a real chance, they may need to show him they’re serious about making more moves to improve their chances in 2027.
So, yes, it’s a compelling idea. Just don’t expect it to happen without a fight.
In Other News...
Reds Already Made A Quiet 2027 Move That Could Matter Later
The Reds quietly checked one offseason item off the list by agreeing to a one-year deal with Oswaldo Cabrera, a move that keeps a versatile piece in the fold without the friction of an arbitration fight. Cabrera arrived late in the 2026 season after Cincinnati claimed him off waivers from the Yankees, and his presence gives the club another multi-position option as it tries to keep the roster flexible heading into a winter that could get complicated.
For the Reds, the timing matters as much as the player. Cincinnati has made a point of lining up useful, adaptable pieces before the offseason grinds on, and Cabrera fits that approach at a moment when the bottom of the roster can change quickly. His value is in the kind of coverage that helps a team absorb injuries, shifting roles and whatever else the calendar throws at it, even if the bigger picture around the roster is still coming into focus. [Read more 🡒]
Reds Bring Back A Familiar Utility Piece For A Quiet Need
The Reds have added a familiar face to address a quiet but real roster need, bringing back Oswaldo Cabrera on a one-year major league deal. The former Yankees infielder spent a brief stretch with Cincinnati last season, and his appeal is straightforward: he can move around the diamond and give the club another versatile defensive option as it keeps shaping the roster for the future.
Cabreras return gives the Reds a player the organization already knows, which matters on a team trying to build depth without losing flexibility. He saw a few games in Cincinnati last year and handled himself well enough to leave a small impression, and now the club gets another look at a utility piece who could fit in several places if the roster picture shifts again. [Read more 🡒]
Reds Prospect Just Put New Pressure On A Familiar Pitching Question
Kevin Abel gave the Reds another reminder of why his arm remains worth watching this winter, turning in a sharp start for Guasave in the Mexican Winter League. The Cincinnati pitching prospect worked five hitless innings, allowed one walk and struck out seven, helping his team to a 2-0 win while the bullpen finished the job over the final four frames.
For a Reds organization always looking for more reliable starting depth, outings like this keep Abel in the conversation. He did it with solid control and efficiency, needing just 59 pitches to navigate the game and stay in command from the outset, which is exactly the kind of progress that can make a familiar pitching question feel a little more urgent. [Read more 🡒]