Top 3 Landing Spots For Free Agent Sonny Gray

Fresh off his team's elimination from the postseason, Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Sonny Gray has now focused his sights on free agency, where he'll be one of the better staring pitchers available. 

Gray was the Twins' ace, in his 3rd All-Star season in 2023, posting a 2.79 ERA with a  1.14 WHIP and a major league-best HR-stinginess of just 0.4 HR/9 innings. 

Turning 34 next month, he won't be getting a massive multi-year contract, but he's certainly still in line to get a nice mid-range deal and can be a huge addition for any team looking to bolster its rotation.

With that in mind, we have a look at the top 3 landing spots in free agency for Sonny Gray.

St. Louis Cardinals

This is a team that was hurting for starting pitchers this season in a big way. They finished 24th in the majors in team ERA in 2023 (at 4.79), and 27th in WHIP (1.46). They placed 29th in opponents' batting average, surrendering a .276 mark.

The Cardinals have already made it clear that Gray is one of their offseason targets. 

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers, prematurely eliminated from the playoffs once again this year, are desperate to rebuild their rotation. Clayton Kershaw may or may not retire, Julio Urias is a free agent and won't return (as much for a domestic violence incident as his poor performance on the field this season), Dustin May is out until at least midseason, and Walker Buehler and Tony Gonsolin will be coming back from injury. 

Shohei Ohtani will obviously be their biggest pursuit, but expect them to add at least two or three starters over the winter. 

Minnesota Twins

both sides have already expressed interest in continuing their relationship. And from Gray's perspective, it makes sense, as he's had his best success as a major leaguer in Minnesota.

Gray's comments after the Twins were eliminated vacillated between sounding both positive, as well as a bit ominous about a possible return to the Twin Cities:

“I do truly believe there is something special going on in this clubhouse," Gray said. "It’s definitely going in the right direction. But at the same time, it’s something we’re going to have to take a look at as a family and see what is the next step for us, not only as a baseball player, but where are the next three to four years of our lives going and what direction is that going to go in. I do know it’s going to be playing baseball, I just don’t know exactly where. But we’ve enjoyed every single moment that we’ve had since we got traded over here, not only the people in the clubhouse, the fans, the city, the organization — everyone has been as much as you can ask. It’s been an incredible experience.”

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