The Minnesota Twins came out of the lockout with an urgent need for starting pitching.
The prices are still high: Sonny Gray, a Cincinnati Reds pitcher, was the Twins’ most recent draft pick.
On Sunday, the Twins made a significant step towards restocking their rotation by acquiring Gray right-hander in a deal that also sent Chase Petty, a pitching prospect, to the Reds. In the deal for Petty’s minor league right-hander Francis Peguero, the Reds also included Peguero, who was the 26th overall high school selection.
“We are excited about his future but the ability to access somebody like Sonny Gray who we believe pitches at the top for anyone, it’s very unusual,” Twins president and CEO of baseball operations Derek Falvey stated. “We believe this guy is an anchor in our rotation. A guy young players can look up too and someone we feel is going to be a leader.”
Gray, 32, was a two-time All Star and went 7-9 with a 4.19 ERA. He also had 155 strikeouts in 135 1/3 innings over 26 starts last season. This was his third season with the Reds. Gray’s career record is 82-72, with a 3.61 ERA, over nine years with the Oakland Athletics (New York Yankees) and Reds. With 204 runs, Gray is currently tied for eighth in right-handers baseball.
Falvey stated that he has great stuff. “But, beyond that, the fact that he competes every single time he takes to the mound just adds an extra level of pushing him up in a rotation.”
Gray will be making a little over $10 million in the final season of the contract he signed with Reds to make a deal from the Yankees in 2019. The Twins have a $12 million club option that could increase based on Gray’s innings this year. It conveniently does not require a buyout. Gray, who was coming off an 83-79 season, was Cincinnati’s most valuable trade chip.
After losing Wade Miley, their starting pitcher, to waivers to the Chicago Cubs, and trading Tucker Barnhart for catcher in exchange, the Reds are now trying to reset.
General manager Nick Krall stated that “it is a loss within the rotation.” We’re going to try to fill it, internally or externally. We are still exploring the market for free agents. We are still looking into the trade market. As we move into spring training, we are still running our offseason.
Gray will be the right-hand man in Minnesota’s top rotation. It was decimated last year by Jose Berrios’ trade and Kenta Maeda’s elbow injury that will keep him out most of 2022. Michael Pineda was a free agent, and could resign if the cost is right.
Gray is not the only player in the Twins’ lineup. Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober are coming off promising rookie seasons. Randy Dobnak is recovering from an injury-spoiled 2021, and Dylan Bundy was signed as a free agency right before the lockout. They have some promising prospects such as Jordan Balazovic and Simeon Woods Richardson, Josh Winder, Josh Winder, and Matt Canterino, but they are unlikely to be ready to break camp, especially after an abbreviated Spring Training.
In the weeks leading up to the lockout, the Twins were relatively quiet, with Byron Buxton , their center fielder, signing a $71 million, seven-year contract extension. Bundy, who was signed for one-year and $5 million is the only major league free agent that the Twins have made.
In a deal with Texas , they acquired shortstop Isiah Kner-Falefa as well as a minor-league pitcher . They also traded catcher Mitch Garver to Texas .
Peguero, a Dominican Republic native, was signed by the Reds as an international free agent in 2017. Peguero spent the 2021 season in relief for High-A affiliate Dayton. He posted a 4.96 ERA over 28 games.
Petty, 18, was selected by the Twins from Mainland Regional High School in Linwood (New Jersey) last summer. After signing for $2.5 million in bonus money, the Twins allowed Petty to play in two minor league games. He was unable to attend Florida college.
It was clear that there was more competition from high school baseball, particularly New Jersey. It was clear that there was a significant difference. It was still fun. It was a great experience. You are supported by all the guys. “You all share the same goals and aspirations,” Petty stated last month after reporting for Twins camp. He was allowed to report because he is not yet required to be on the organization’s 40-man roster.
The Twins also finished their 18-player list for minor league players who were invited to major league camp. It opened on Sunday. Tim Beckham, a middle infielder, is the most experienced of the 12 players who have previous major league experience. The list also includes pitchers Danny Coulombe and Juan Minaya, outfielders Jake Cave, and Danny Smeltzer. All of these players were with the Twins last year but were removed from the 40-man roster.
