Yankees general manager Brian Cashman addressed comments made by former pitcher Sonny Gray regarding his difficult tenure with the team during the opening night of the General Managers Meetings on March 15, 2024, in Orlando, Florida. Gray, who recently transitioned from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Boston Red Sox, expressed dissatisfaction with his experience in New York, stating, “New York was, it just wasn’t a good situation for me.”
In a candid reflection, Gray highlighted his struggle to adapt to the pressures of pitching for the Yankees during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Cashman seized the opportunity to respond after Gray’s remarks gained attention, particularly an assertion made during his interview with reporters that he had never wanted to join the Yankees.
Gray’s admission came as a surprise to many, especially considering that he had actively sought a trade to New York in 2017 while still with the Oakland Athletics. Following his acquisition, Gray’s performance fell short of expectations, leading to a less than favorable record of 15-16 and a 4.51 earned run average (ERA) during his time with the Yankees.
During the GM meetings, Cashman detailed his interactions with Gray, revealing that the pitcher had confided in him during a late-season meeting in 2018. “He said, ‘I thought you were going to trade me,’” Cashman recounted. He described how Gray revealed his true feelings about New York, saying, “He hates New York. This is the worst place. He just sits in his hotel room.”
Cashman pointed out that Gray’s agent, Bo McKinnis, had advised him to publicly express a desire to join the Yankees, suggesting the need to maintain a positive image for his future free agency. “He told me to lie. It wouldn’t be good for my free agency to say there are certain places I don’t want to go to,” Gray reportedly told Cashman.
Despite the challenges faced in New York, Gray rebounded with a successful stint in Cincinnati, earning All-Star honors in 2019 and again in 2023 while playing for the Minnesota Twins. Over his 13-year career, he has a record of 125-102 with a 3.58 ERA.
With his recent move to Boston, Gray now finds himself in a large market once again, this time representing the Yankees’ fiercest rivals. He expressed relief at being in a location where he can embrace the rivalry, stating, “I’m happy being in a place where it’s easy to hate the Yankees.”
As the season approaches, many will watch closely to see how Gray performs under the spotlight of Boston, particularly given his previous struggles in New York. Cashman remarked, “I wish you would have told me well beforehand. I wish we knew this before we even tried to acquire you.”
The exchange between Gray and Cashman highlights the complexities of player dynamics in major league baseball, particularly in high-pressure environments like New York. With both parties moving forward, the upcoming season will be pivotal for Gray as he seeks to prove himself once more in the face of scrutiny.
