The rumors about the New York Yankees trading away starting pitcher Sonny Gray finally became true on Monday evening, as they sent the right-hander to the Cincinnati Reds. The two sides were said to be close to a deal since Saturday, and those talks heated up through Sunday and in to Monday morning. Gray is joined by minor league left-handed pitcher Reiver Sammartin in Cincinnati, who sent second-base prospect Shed Long and a draft pick to New York. The Yankees went on to send Long to the Seattle Mariners for center-field prospect Josh Stowers.
After the deal was completed, Gray agreed to a three-year contract extension that is worth $30.5 million. The contract also includes a $12 million team option for the 2023 season, as the 29-year-old can make up to $50 million over the next five seasons. The move also helps Gray feel more at home, as he reunites with college pitching coach Derek Johnson, while also moving him closer to his home in Nashville, Tennessee.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was very open with his intentions on trading away Gray after the Yankees fell to the Boston Red Sox in the American League Divisional Series. He found a Reds team that has been all over the place making moves this winter, including adding the likes of Tanner Roark, Alex Wood, Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp and Kyle Farmer. The former Oakland Athletics starter did enough to bolster the Yankees rotation, despite a 4-7 record last season, and he looks to do the same for the Reds.
He was particularly well away from home, striking out 78 and walking 22 over 71 innings, all while holding opposing hitters to a .226 batting average. Although, he will pitch in another hitter-friendly ballpark of Great American Ballpark, as he struggled in 15 games at Yankee Stadium last season, posting a 6.98 ERA and allowing opposing hitters to hit 3.18 against him. He will hope the transition to the National League will change that a bit, with hopes of adding to the Reds' wishes of being a surprise contender in the NL Central.
After the deal was completed, Gray agreed to a three-year contract extension that is worth $30.5 million. The contract also includes a $12 million team option for the 2023 season, as the 29-year-old can make up to $50 million over the next five seasons. The move also helps Gray feel more at home, as he reunites with college pitching coach Derek Johnson, while also moving him closer to his home in Nashville, Tennessee.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was very open with his intentions on trading away Gray after the Yankees fell to the Boston Red Sox in the American League Divisional Series. He found a Reds team that has been all over the place making moves this winter, including adding the likes of Tanner Roark, Alex Wood, Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp and Kyle Farmer. The former Oakland Athletics starter did enough to bolster the Yankees rotation, despite a 4-7 record last season, and he looks to do the same for the Reds.
He was particularly well away from home, striking out 78 and walking 22 over 71 innings, all while holding opposing hitters to a .226 batting average. Although, he will pitch in another hitter-friendly ballpark of Great American Ballpark, as he struggled in 15 games at Yankee Stadium last season, posting a 6.98 ERA and allowing opposing hitters to hit 3.18 against him. He will hope the transition to the National League will change that a bit, with hopes of adding to the Reds' wishes of being a surprise contender in the NL Central.
