Minnesota Twins quickly answer one of their offseason questions
Not long after the 2022 World Series ended, the quest to reach the Fall Classic in 2023 began for all 30 MLB teams. That includes the Minnesota Twins, who are officially bringing back starting pitcher Sonny Gray as part of a rotation with some questions looming for next season.
Minnesota Twins will pick up team option on starting pitcher Sonny Gray
According to a tweet from MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Minnesota Twins will pick up the $12.5 million team option on Sonny Gray, answering one of the questions about their rotation heading into next season.
The 32-year-old right-hander was traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the Twins in March. Gray went on to make 24 starts for the Twins, but also landed on the injured list three times during the campaign, including September 20 which ended his season early.
When Gray was healthy, he made an impact for Minnesota, posting a 3.08 ERA/3.41 FIP/1.128 WHIP in 119.2 innings. One of the keys to success for Gray in 2022 was reducing the number of walks he issued. His 2.7 walks per nine innings was his lowest mark since he finished third in the American League Cy Young race in 2015 with the Oakland A’s (2.6 walks per nine innings).
Cincinnati’s trade of Gray to the Twins included a team option for this season, the final piece of a four-year, $38 million deal he signed with the Reds after two seasons (2017-18) with the New York Yankees.
Gray’s return helps settle one question with Minnesota’s rotation. However, there are certainly others lurking this offseason. Tyler Mahle had his 2022 season cut short by a shoulder injury and Kenta Maeda never took the mound in 2022 after undergoing an internal brace Tommy John surgery, so health for Minnesota pitchers heading into spring training will be a focus of the offseason.
dark. Next. Twins try another approach to staying healthy
In this article, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic (subscription required) believes the Twins need “a front-line starter” heading into next season and that could be a focus for the team in the offseason. If that’s the case, Gray will likely slide back in the rotation.