Reds strike deal for Yanks’ Sonny Gray after pitcher inks extension

The Yankees have traded starting pitcher Sonny Gray to the Cincinnati Reds, the teams announced Monday, finalizing a days-in-the-making deal that ends Gray’s topsy-turvy stint with New York.

Both sides completed a deal that was contingent upon the Reds reaching a contract extension with the 29-year-old Gray, who agreed to a three-year, $30.5 million extension that includes a $12 million club option for 2023, a source familiar with the deal told ESPN. Combined with his $7.5 million salary this season, Gray’s deal can max out at five years and $50 million.

New York dealt Gray and minor league left-hander Reiver Sanmartin to Cincinnati for second-base prospect Shed Long and a high draft pick, then flipped Long to the Seattle Mariners for center-field prospect Josh Stowers.

Looking for the best online betting site? Visit Heritage Sports!

Gray will reconnect with his college pitching coach, Derek Johnson, move closer to his Nashville home and bring a career 53 percent ground ball rate to the bandbox of Great American Ball Park.

This is their third significant deal, after acquiring starter Tanner Roark from Washington, then sending Homer Bailey’s dead-money contract and a pair of prospects to the Los Angeles Dodgers for starter Alex Wood, outfielders Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp and catcher Kyle Farmer. Gray was a prized acquisition when the Yankees dealt prospects James Kaprielian, Dustin Fowler and Jorge Mateo to the Oakland A’s for him at the 2017 trade deadline. After pitching reasonably well down the stretch despite a 4-7 record, Gray returned in 2018 with an egregious home-road split that grew severe enough he eventually lost his rotation spot and didn’t make the team’s postseason roster. In 15 games away from Yankee Stadium, Gray struck out 78 and walked 22 in 71 innings, with hitters slashing .226/.295/.320. Their numbers against him in the Bronx were staggering: .318/.406/.527, leading to a 6.98 ERA in 15 games.

Get all the latest Betting and Sport News updates on your social media outlets. Find us on both Facebook and Google+!