Red Sox make a splash with Sonny Gray acquisition
The Boston Red Sox kicked off their offseason with a significant move on Tuesday, acquiring three-time All-Star Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals. While the offseason is still in its early stages, this addition already sets the foundation for a formidable pitching rotation that could include Garrett Crochet, Gray, and Brayan Bello.
Gray, a seasoned veteran with 13 years of experience in Major League Baseball, will be donning a Red Sox uniform for the first time in his career, marking his sixth team after stints with the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins, and Cardinals. His extensive background provides the Red Sox with a reliable arm and a wealth of knowledge on the mound.
Ortiz’s legendary praise resurfaces
With Gray’s arrival, a notable quote from legendary slugger David Ortiz has resurfaced, adding a layer of excitement among Red Sox fans. Back in 2015, Ortiz shared his thoughts on the toughest pitchers he faced in The Players’ Tribune, and Sonny Gray stood out in his recollection.
“The last few seasons, the toughest guy I’ve faced is Sonny Gray from Oakland,” Ortiz wrote. “This kid’s stuff is legit. Normally, I don’t really look at the pitcher on the mound. I mean, I see him standing there, but what I’m paying attention to is his delivery and the way the ball comes out of his hand. The reason is because you want to look at everybody the same. If you see these big guys and you’re thinking about how nasty they are, you’re already out before you take a swing.”
Ortiz went on to describe his first encounter with Gray, noting his unassuming stature. “But the first time I see this Gray kid on the mound, I can’t help but notice he’s 5’10” and skinny. He looks like the guy who fixes my computer at the Apple Store. I’m thinking, Here we go. This is gonna be fun. Then he took me for a ride, man. Fastball. Sinker. Slider. Curve… Whap. Whap. Whap. You have no idea what this kid is going to throw. He drives me crazy.”
Gray’s inclusion in Ortiz’s list, which also featured pitching legends like Pedro Martinez, Mariano Rivera, and Mike Mussina, speaks volumes about his ability and impact on the game.
Gray’s recent performance and potential
In his most recent seasons with the Cardinals, Gray posted a respectable 4.07 ERA across 60 starts. His last tenure in the American League, however, was particularly impressive, as he played for the Minnesota Twins during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. In 2023, Gray excelled, finishing with a 2.79 ERA over 32 starts and securing a second-place finish in the AL Cy Young Award race.
As the Red Sox look to build on this early offseason momentum, the addition of a pitcher like Sonny Gray not only bolsters their rotation but also reignites the enthusiasm of fans who remember the powerful words of Ortiz. With the offseason still young, the Red Sox have set a promising tone as they strive to reclaim their status as contenders in the league.
