The St. Louis Cardinals sent a shock through MLB Free Agency when they traded Sonny Gray to the Boston Red Sox , but the real jolt came moments later when news broke that St. Louis will cover $20 million of Gray’s salary — a twist that stunned the league even more. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Cardinals are sending the Red Sox half of Gray’s guarantee, softening the financial hit and adding a dramatic new layer to a deal already buzzing across baseball.

Gray will earn $35 million this season. His contract also includes a $30 million mutual option for next year, not a club option as previously reported. It comes with a $5 million buyout. That detail alone changes how front offices judge the risk. The Red Sox now take on an ace-level arm with a financial buffer. The Cardinals

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