New Boston Red Sox pitcher Sonny Gray didn’t mince words when reflecting on his time with the New York Yankees, admitting he “never wanted” to pitch for the 27-time World Series champions.
Gray, whom the Red Sox recently acquired for two pitchers and a player to be named later, met with the Boston media on Tuesday. The three-time All-Star is no stranger to the AL East, having pitched for the Yankees during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
The Yankees added Gray in a July 2017 trade with the Oakland Athletics, a move he admitted he’s still mixed about. Gray went 15-16 with a 4.51 ERA in 41 games (34 starts) for the Yankees, losing his rotation role at one point in 2018. Those seven relief outings are the only ones Gray has made since 2014, his first full season in the majors.
Gray had a 6.98 ERA, a 45-35 K-BB ratio, and allowed 11 home runs over 59 1/3 innings at Yankee Stadium in 2018. His road numbers were significantly better, with Gray posting a 3.17 ERA and a 78-22 K-BB ratio in 71 innings. The Yankees traded Gray and pitcher Reiver Sanmartin to the Cincinnati Reds for second baseman Shed Long Jr. and a competitive balance draft pick in January 2019.