Yankees’ GM Brian Cashman Reveals Sonny Gray’s True Feelings About Playing in New York
According to New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman, Sonny Gray, the veteran starter who was traded to the Boston Red Sox last month, had expressed a desire to play in New York only to boost his free agency value. Cashman claims that Gray’s agent, Bo McKinnis, advised him to pretend to want to play for the Yankees, despite his actual dislike for the city.
Cashman made these revelations during the Major League Baseball winter meetings, where he recounted a conversation he had with Gray after the 2018 trade deadline. Gray had allegedly told Cashman that he never wanted to play for the Yankees and that his agent had instructed him to lie about his interest in joining the team. McKinnis has denied these allegations, calling them “nonsensical” and stating that Gray had never expressed a desire to leave the Oakland Athletics.
Gray’s Time with the Yankees
Gray was traded to the Yankees in July 2017 and spent 1½ seasons with the team, posting a 15-16 record with a 4.52 ERA. However, his time in New York was marked by struggles on the field and controversy off it. In August 2018, Gray was dropped from the rotation after a poor performance against the Baltimore Orioles, which was followed by a heated exchange with fans. He was eventually traded to the Cincinnati Reds in January 2019.
Gray’s departure from the Yankees was seen as a relief by many, given his struggles on the field and his apparent dissatisfaction with the team. However, the revelation that he may have been pretending to want to play for the Yankees raises questions about the dynamics between players, agents, and teams in Major League Baseball.
McKinnis Responds to Cashman’s Allegations
McKinnis, Gray’s agent, has vehemently denied Cashman’s claims, stating that they “make zero sense.” McKinnis argues that it would not be in a player’s best interest to lie about their desire to play for a particular team, as it could harm their performance and ultimately their free agency value. McKinnis also claims that Gray had never expressed a desire to leave the Oakland Athletics, where he spent the first five seasons of his career.
The controversy surrounding Gray’s departure from the Yankees highlights the complexities of the player-agent-team dynamic in professional sports. While Cashman’s allegations may be seen as a attempt to shift blame, they also raise important questions about the role of agents in shaping a player’s career trajectory.
Gray’s New Chapter with the Red Sox
Despite the controversy surrounding his departure from the Yankees, Gray seems to have found a new lease on life with the Red Sox. The 36-year-old right-hander has become a three-time All-Star and has posted a 125-102 record with a 3.58 ERA over 13 seasons. Gray has expressed his excitement about joining the Red Sox, citing the opportunity to be part of a historic rivalry with the Yankees as a major factor in his decision.
As the MLB season approaches, the drama surrounding Gray’s departure from the Yankees will likely continue to unfold. However, one thing is certain – Gray is ready to put the past behind him and start a new chapter in his career with the Red Sox.
