The St. Louis Cardinals have made a major move to strengthen their starting rotation, signing former American League Cy Young runner-up Sonny Gray to a one-year deal. Gray, who was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 2011, has spent the last two seasons with the Cincinnati Reds.
The 30-year-old right-hander had a strong 2019 season with the Reds, posting a 3.70 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 28 starts. He also struck out 166 batters in 173 innings, and his 11.4 K/9 was the highest of his career. Gray has been a consistent performer throughout his career, averaging a 3.66 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over the last five seasons.
The Cardinals hope that Gray can help bolster their starting rotation, which has been inconsistent in recent years. The team finished with the fourth-worst ERA in the National League last season, and their starters combined for a 4.71 ERA and 1.41 WHIP. Gray will join Jack Flaherty, Miles Mikolas, Dakota Hudson, and Adam Wainwright in the rotation, giving the Cardinals a formidable group of starters.
Gray’s addition should also help the Cardinals in their quest to return to the playoffs after missing out last season. The team is coming off a disappointing 2019 campaign, but they have added several key pieces this offseason, including outfielder Dexter Fowler and reliever Andrew Miller. With Gray now in the fold, the Cardinals have a much better chance of competing for a playoff spot in 2020.
Overall, the signing of Sonny Gray is a great move for the Cardinals. He brings a wealth of experience and talent to the team, and should help solidify their starting rotation. With Gray in the mix, the Cardinals have a much better chance of competing for a playoff spot in 2020.
