Braves, Blue Jays and Padres Emerge in Sonny Gray Sweepstakes

Three teams have emerged as potential landing spots for Sonny Gray, with the Atlanta Braves, Toronto Blue Jays and San Diego Padres all named as fits for the free-agent starter in a new column from The Athletic's Jim Bowden. Gray was excellent for Boston in 2026, but his mutual option was declined and he is now on the open market as one of the most attractive arms available in a thin pitching class. Atlanta is seen as the most natural fit. Bowden expects the Braves to show interest in Gray, Michael King, Freddy Peralta and Shota Imanaga if they cannot trade for a top starter, and a move to poach Gray from Boston makes particular sense for a club hunting rotation help. San Diego, meanwhile, is the wild card: president of baseball operations A.J. Preller has never been afraid of a splash, and the Padres must decide whether to bring back King and Adrian Morejon while also chasing Gray and Peralta. Toronto is expected to be in play for the market's biggest names, with Gray listed alongside Tarik Skubal, Peralta and King, as well as top free-agent outfielder Seiya Suzuki. Nothing is agreed, and the column is a survey of fits rather than a report of offers, but it sets the early shape of Gray's market. With the December 1 expiry of the collective bargaining agreement looming, teams are expected to move quickly on the starters they want.