Why the Red Sox' Sonny Gray trade doesn't prevent them from trading with Brewers

The St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox' blockbuster trade involving Sonny Gray doesn't appear to have many implications for the Milwaukee Brewers at first glance, save for the fact that a chief division rival is finally punting on the near future and committing to a rebuild.

However, seeing as the Red Sox have been frequently mentioned as the best suitor for Brewers ace Freddy Peralta in a trade, their acquisition of Gray -- another frontline starter with one year remaining on his contract -- could take them out of the Peralta sweepstakes.

Then again, the Cardinals are eating a huge chunk of Gray's remaining $41 million salary, and the only notable prospect the Red Sox are surrendering is Brandon Clarke, who became superfluous within their organization following the emergence of young pitchers like Payton Tolle and Connelly Early.

Their resources and drive to acquire another elite pitcher should be ample.

With ample prospect capital remaining, Red Sox still perfect trade partner for Freddy Peralta even after Sonny Gray trade

Admittedly, Gray does fill a lot of the same niches as Peralta, beyond the fact that he's six years older.

Effectively now on a one-year, $21 million contract, Gray has worked the same kinds of elite walk and strikeout rates as Peralta in recent years. Likewise, he's been durable, pitching more than 165 innings in each of the past three seasons.

Where Gray falters, though, is in his postseason experience. Though no fault of his own, the right-hander has pitched just 9.0 innings in October since 2017. He's accumulated just four starts in the playoffs since his brilliant rookie run with the Athletics.

Meanwhile, by virtue of the Brewers' four division titles in five years, Peralta has become an October mainstay. He's made all nine of his postseason appearances since 2018, having pitched 33 1/3 innings in that span. He hasn't been flawless on that stage -- he has a career 4.32 ERA and 4.70 FIP in the playoffs -- though part of that is dragged down by the fact that he allowed five home runs three starts this year.

Peralta has also simply been better than Gray over the past five seasons, twice making an All-Star team and finishing top-five in Cy Young voting this past season.

If the Red Sox are motivated to add another starter between Garrett Crochet and Gray at the top of their rotation, they have the prospect talent to do so, especially since Peralta is so cheap ($8 million salary in 2026). Assembling the NL Central Avengers might not be a perfect championship blueprint, but Milwaukee would be foolish not to continue calling Craig Breslow's phone if they're serious about trading their ace.