The Boston Red Sox are off to a rough start at 14-21, and the ripple effects of a Tarik Skubal injury elsewhere in the league could create a surprising opportunity for the struggling franchise. After parting ways with manager Alex Cora and making several tough decisions in recent weeks, Boston has arguably become the most disappointing team in baseball this season. While it's painful to see things unravel so quickly, it seems increasingly likely that the Red Sox will pivot toward selling off assets before the trade deadline.

According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, one name that could unexpectedly hit the trade block is veteran right-hander Sonny Gray. "If Boston ultimately becomes a seller, Sonny Gray could become trade bait come July," Feinsand wrote. Despite their poor record, the Red Sox entered Monday just three games back in the AL Wild Card race—a testament to how wide open the American League remains. In fact, no AL team was more than 3.5 games out of a playoff spot with three-quarters of the season still to play.

For a team that needs to think long-term, Gray makes a lot of sense as a trade chip. At 36 years old, he's still a reliable arm, but holding onto him during a non-contending season would be a missed opportunity. The Red Sox could flip him for young talent that fits their rebuild timeline. Meanwhile, the Skubal injury could shift the trade market, making quality starting pitchers like Gray even more valuable to contenders desperate for rotation help.

It's a strange twist of fate: an injury to a Tigers ace might just help the Red Sox get back on track—not by winning games now, but by making the smart moves that set them up for future success. Whether Boston can capitalize on this opportunity will depend on how aggressively they embrace the seller's role in the coming weeks.