New York Yankees starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery labels Sonny Gray as a “steal” for his new team, the Cincinnati Reds.
Suddenly, Mr. Sonny Gray is a “steal” for his brand-spanking new baseball organization, the Cincinnati Reds.
Per Brendan Kuty of NJ.com, New York Yankees starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery labeled his former teammate a “steal” as the baseball work season commences.
“Cincinnati got a steal,” Montgomery said at Geroge Steinbrenner field in Tampa, Florida on Thursday.
“That’s why Cincinnati locked him up as fast as they could have,” Montgomery said. “I think, for his sake, I think we’re going to see the guy who as in Oakland, a top-three Cy Young winner and I think he’s going to get back to form and be the guy he’s always been.”
Gray, 29, enjoyed a solid big-league career until the 2018 campaign rolled around.
In 30 games, 23 started, Gray pitched to a 4.90 ERA, 1.496 WHIP and 8.5 K/9. He struck out 123 batters in just 130.1 innings pitched. It was, by far, his worst professional season to date.
New York flipped Gray to the Reds in return for Seattle Mariners outfield prospect Josh Stowers (as part of a three-way deal).
Montgomery, the young lefty, is riding the Tommy John return path to the big leagues. After a successful rookie season, he was shut down during his second year for the now-infamous pitching procedure.
None of this matters as it relates to Montgomery’s objective or subjective views on his former teammate.
“He’s getting paid $30 million — I think he’s the caliber pitcher who should be way more than that. He outdueled Justin Verlander” in the playoffs in 2013, Montgomery said. “He’s just got electric stuff. He’s confident out there.”
Gray immediately signed an extension with the Reds post-trade. Pitching in the NL for the first time, perhaps he can find familiar success.
At the very least, Jordan Montgomery thinks so.
