New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman addressed former pitcher Sonny Gray‘s recent criticisms of his time with the team during the opening night of the General Manager Meetings in Orlando, Florida. Gray, who struggled during his two seasons with the Yankees from 2017 to 2018, expressed his dissatisfaction with the franchise after being traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Boston Red Sox.
In a candid interview, Gray described his experience in New York as “not a good situation” and indicated that he had never genuinely wanted to join the team. This statement came just five days after Cashman was asked about Gray’s negative sentiments regarding his tenure with the Yankees. Cashman provided an extensive response that lasted nearly three minutes, detailing the complexities of Gray’s initial desire to play for New York.
Gray had actively campaigned for a trade to the Yankees while he was with the Oakland Athletics, stating his wish to compete for a championship. Yet, after struggling on the mound with a record of 15-16 and an earned run average (ERA) of 4.51 during his time in the Bronx, Gray later admitted that his enthusiasm for joining the Yankees was not genuine.
During a private meeting in late 2018 at Yankee Stadium, Gray confided in Cashman that his agent had instructed him to express a desire to join the Yankees, claiming it would be detrimental to his free agency prospects to indicate any reluctance. Cashman recalled the conversation, stating, “He said he never wanted to be here. He hates New York. This is the worst place.”
Cashman emphasized that Gray’s initial enthusiasm had not translated into success on the field. “We were trying to support him every step of the way,” he noted, reflecting on the team’s attempts to assist Gray during his struggles. Ultimately, Gray was traded to the Cincinnati Reds after the 2018 season, where he found renewed success, becoming an All-Star in 2019 and again in 2023 with the Minnesota Twins.
As Gray transitions to Boston, where he has stated he is pleased to be in a market that allows him to “hate the Yankees,” it remains to be seen how he will perform under the pressure of a rival team. Cashman’s remarks serve as a reminder of the complexities and pressures athletes face in the high-stakes environment of Major League Baseball.
This latest chapter in Gray’s career continues to unfold, but the candid exchanges between the pitcher and Cashman offer insight into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of professional sports, particularly in the demanding atmosphere of New York City.
