The Red Sox can rattle off a list of things that haven't worked out as planned. Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras are not on that list.
These two players were part of Plan A, and, as Monday night reminded us, they have not disappointed.
It's not a stretch to suggest that Gray and Contreras were the primary reasons the Red Sox were able to beat the Royals, 3-1, in Kansas City. Without Gray's six shutout innings, the Sox would have fallen victim to another punchless nine innings. And take away Contreras' two-run, 435-foot homer in the sixth and the visitors wouldn't have been afforded the sigh of relief necessary to cruise through the final frames.
This is how it was supposed to work. And, low and behold, it did work.
But while Craig Breslow's roster decisions have been picked apart on the way to this 20-27 start, the trades for Gray and Contreras have undoubtedly been steals. Brandon Clarke and Richard Fitts, the headliners of the package sent to Chaim Bloom and Co. for Gray, are both out for the year with injuries. While Hunter Dobbins, who was the chief piece of the Contreras deal for St. Louis, only pitched once in the majors this season before being sent back to Triple-A.
In other words, the players the Red Sox have gotten from St. Louis are undeniably much more important to the team's survival in 2026 than what the Red Sox possessed before the trades.
One could argue that the payoff has been even greater than anticipated.
While Gray was forced to miss some time due to a hamstring injury, he has still landed with a 5-1 mark and 2.93 ERA, having dominated since his return from the injured list. In three starts since his return, the righty is 3-0 with a 1.06, showing the kind of eclectic pitch-mix most pitchers would die for.
"I think he can be one of the best pitchers in baseball," Contreras told reporters regarding his longtime teammate. "He's been doing it for a long time. He’s a vet. He knows what he's doing, he knows the hitter, he knows the count, he knows everything. His preparation is off the charts, and that's what happens when you prepare yourself well and execute pitches."
Gray, like the rest of the Red Sox starters, continues to be the anchor. While the Red Sox are just 8-8 this month, 12 of the 16 games have seen the Sox's starting pitcher give up two or fewer runs.
That's where Contreras comes in.
The first baseman has been the Red Sox's most impactful hitter, leading the team with a .841 OPS and 10 home runs. His 27 RBI are also far and away the most on the team, with Wilyer Abreu, running a distant second in all categories. And, to top it off, all the defensive analytics suggest Contreras has been the best defensive first baseman in baseball this season.
The Red Sox are 7-3 when Contreras homers, and 6-1 when he drives in two or more runs. All not a coincidence. And then there is the ability to represent some certainty in the middle of the lineup, with the righty having hit second in 18 games, at No. 3 five times, and as the cleanup hitter - the spot he was originally projected to fill entering the season - on 22 occasions.
And we haven't mentioned the much-needed veteran and attitude-maker that this club needs.
"Willson's been one of the best hitters in this league for about 10 years," Gray told reporters. "People might not realize that, but just look it up. He has been. And I have all the confidence in the world in him. He's one of my closest friends that I've made in baseball. I respect the crap out of him, and he's a really, really good player."
The Red Sox's situation is still not great, but it could be a whole lot worse without these two. Case in point: Monday night at Kauffman Stadium.
