Sonny Gray had a no-trade clause, but he gladly waived it to join the Boston Red Sox.
In a video call with reporters on Tuesday, Gray revealed why he happily approved last week’s trade that sent him from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Red Sox.
“The young talent, with Garrett (Crochet) there, just the young position players that are there, to the point where they’re hungry and ready to go take off,” Gray said during Tuesday’s call, as reported by The Athletic. “It’s just all in all a great situation, and we have a chance to win a World Series, and we have a chance to make a deep playoff run. I just want to be a part of it.”
The 36-year-old right-hander has never won a World Series, so having a chance to win a championship was important to him. He also got good reviews about Boston’s organization from former Cardinals teammate Steven Matz, who was dealt to the Red Sox at last summer’s trade deadline.
“I’ve always said I wanted to go to a market that is super competitive, a big market that wants to win,” Gray said. “I know I can thrive in that situation. I always wanted another opportunity to prove to myself and just go and be myself. Boston just checked all the boxes for me.”
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Gray has mostly pitched for mid-market teams throughout his 13-year MLB career. He flopped during his brief stint with the New York Yankees, but he’s more mature now and believes he’s better equipped to handle the pressure.
The three-time All-Star is also excited to be teammates with AL Cy Young runner-up Garrett Crochet.
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“Having a guy like Garrett at the top of the rotation is something that I couldn’t be happier about,” Gray said. “Someone that I can that I can lean on, someone that I can follow, someone that I can lead, someone that I can learn from, someone that I can teach, someone that can push me, someone that I can push. Those are all important things.”
After missing the playoffs with the St. Louis the last two years, Gray is thrilled to join a contender and begin the next chapter of his career.
“I’m looking forward to the year,” Gray said. “I really am.”
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Featured image via Benny Sieu/Imagn Images
