Sonny Gray To Cincinnati
Some pitchers have success in the Big Apple while others may struggle.
Starting pitcher Sonny Gray was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, a source familiar with the deal told ESPN, finalizing a days-in-the-making deal that saw the New York Yankees ship him off after 1½ topsy-turvy seasons. “according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25818687/cincinnati-reds-get-pitcher-sonny-gray-yankees-prospect-pick
The sides had agreed on a deal that sources said hinged upon Gray reaching a contract extension with the Reds. While details of an extension could not be immediately confirmed, the trade of Gray was consummated Monday afternoon, according to the source. “according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25818687/cincinnati-reds-get-pitcher-sonny-gray-yankees-prospect-pick
Second-base prospect Shed Long and a high draft pick were the agreed-upon return should Gray sign the extension, sources said. “according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25818687/cincinnati-reds-get-pitcher-sonny-gray-yankees-prospect-pick
Cincinnati had hoped to buy out the free agency of the 29-year-old Gray, who reconnects with his college pitching coach, Derek Johnson, moves closer to his Nashville home and brings a career 53 percent groundball rate to the bandbox of Great American Ball Park. “according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25818687/cincinnati-reds-get-pitcher-sonny-gray-yankees-prospect-pick
The deal is nonetheless a decided risk for Cincinnati, as it tries to transition from rebuilding to contending and banks on Gray after a difficult year-and-a-half-long stretch in the Bronx. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman publicly stated his intention to deal the former All-Star after the team's season ended with an AL division series loss, and while it took more than three months, he found a willing partner in the Reds, who have remade their roster via trade this winter. This is their third significant deal, after acquiring starter Tanner Roark from Washington, then sending Homer Bailey's dead-money contract and a pair of prospects to the Los Angeles Dodgers for starter Alex Wood, outfielders Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp, and catcher Kyle Farmer. “according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25818687/cincinnati-reds-get-pitcher-sonny-gray-yankees-prospect-pick
Gray was a prized acquisition when the Yankees dealt prospects James Kaprielian, Dustin Fowler and Jorge Mateo to the Oakland A's for him at the 2017 trade deadline. After pitching reasonably well down the stretch despite a 4-7 record, Gray returned in 2018 with an egregious home-road split that grew severe enough he eventually lost his rotation spot and didn't make the team's postseason roster. In 15 games away from Yankee Stadium, Gray struck out 78 and walked 22 in 71 innings, with hitters slashing .226/.295/.320. Their numbers against him in the Bronx were staggering: .318/.406/.527, leading to a 6.98 ERA in 15 games. “according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25818687/cincinnati-reds-get-pitcher-sonny-gray-yankees-prospect-pick
Cincinnati believes enough in Gray to pursue an extension - and to give up a well-liked prospect in Long, a 23-year-old second baseman, and a draft pick that will wind up in the late 30s and is seen in the industry as being worth around $10 million. Gray could headline a rotation in far better shape than the one that finished 2018 with a 5.02 ERA: Gray, Roark, Wood, Luis Castillo and Anthony DeSclafani, with Tyler Mahle, Sal Romano and Cody Reed also capable of starting. “according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25818687/cincinnati-reds-get-pitcher-sonny-gray-yankees-prospect-pick
While the Reds have yet to sign a major league free agent this winter, the additions through trade have pushed their payroll above $120 million, which would be a franchise high. Following a 67-95 season, the Reds felt close enough to start moving toward contention, even with a loaded National League Central that includes three potential playoff teams in Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Louis as well as a Pittsburgh team that finished above .500 last season. “according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25818687/cincinnati-reds-get-pitcher-sonny-gray-yankees-prospect-pick
Gray arrived with Oakland in 2013, a little more than two years after they chose him 18th overall in the draft out of Vanderbilt. He slipped to the middle of the first round because teams feared his 5-foot-10 height would limit his effectiveness. His 93-mph sinker and hammer curve ensured that would not be the case, and in 2015, his second full season, Gray finished third in Cy Young voting and looked primed to become one of the best pitchers in the AL. Then came a disaster of a 2016 season, which preceded the trade to the Yankees. They believed he would be more 2015 than 2016, and the Reds are hoping the same after outflanking the San Francisco Giants and others interested in acquiring Gray.”according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25818687/cincinnati-reds-get-pitcher-sonny-gray-yankees-prospect-pick