The Giants are in the market for at least one starting pitcher this offseason, and are reportedly targeting a familiar face.
San Francisco has entered the sweepstakes for former A’s and current Yankees starting pitcher Sonny Gray, according to Jon Heyman of Fancred. Giants VP of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi knows Gray from his time in Oakland and is “said to be a fan. The A’s, Brewers, Braves, Mariners, Padres, and Reds have also been linked to Gray, but don’t appear to be at the forefront of talks, according to Heyman.
#SFGiants interesting new entrant in Sonny sweepstakes. It does make sense; Giants prez Farhan Zaidi, who knows Sonny from A’s days, is said to be fan. It appears some other linked teams — A’s, Brewers, Braves, M’s, Pads, Reds — don’t appear to be at forefront of talks at moment
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 17, 2019
Gray, 29, is under contract with the Yankees for 2019, and is scheduled to make $7.5 million on his current deal. Gray is coming off a down season in 2018, posting a 4.90 ERA and 1.49 WHIP (tied for career worst) with New York last season. But Gray was much better on the road, posting 3.17 ERA in 15 games away from an extremely-hitter friendly park in the Bronx.
Gray has been up and down since his break out season with the A’s in 2015, when he made the AL All-Star team, and finished third in Cy Young voting while posting a 2.73 ERA and 1.08 WHIP.