MLB free agents rarely discuss the teams they considered before signing, but Sonny Gray provided insight into his decision on the Foul Territory podcast.
Gray, who signed a three-year, $75 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, revealed that he had narrowed his choice down to three teams: the Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, and Arizona Diamondbacks. He also mentioned that there were several other teams in contention initially, and he even had discussions with a few of them that made him think he might sign with them the next day.
The 34-year-old was an early signing in a slow offseason for player movement. As the 2023 American League Cy Young runner-up with the Minnesota Twins, he led the league with a 2.83 FIP (2.79 ERA) in 32 starts.
Gray highlighted his decision coming down to St. Louis and Cincinnati, having previously pitched for the Reds from 2019-21.
The Reds changed course and signed pitchers Nick Martinez and Frankie Montas, with Montas set to be their Opening Day starter.
Arizona made a late move at the Winter Meetings by signing left-handed starter Eduardo Rodriguez to a four-year, $80 million deal with an option for a fifth season to bolster their rotation.
“When we sat down at the beginning of free agency after the season and you list all 30 teams, (St. Louis) was definitely a team that was right there at the top,” Gray said. “Free agency is weird — it was cool and it was awesome — but it was also very weird because then you go down this rabbit hole of like you can see yourself and your family in this situation.”
Gray did not explain why he did not join the Diamondbacks. Instead, he will compete for another National League team with aspirations of making the postseason.
