There is just a single conceivable way Sonny Gray is not a fit with the New York Yankees: He is however a small fellow of 5'10".
That is to say, have you seen these Yankees? They're gigantic. Stroll into their clubhouse and it resembles you've ventured into a group with NFL linemen. Dellin Betances is 6'8", 265 pounds. Aaron Judge is 6'7", 282. CC Sabathia is 6'6", 300. Considerably nearer Aroldis Chapman goes 6'4", 212. They could lead the alliance in speed (fastball, and exit) and yards per convey. Hovel, cabin!
Otherwise...heck no doubt, Gray was the Hail Mary pass the 2017 Yankees required not exclusively to fortify their offer for an American League East title this year yet in addition for the not so distant future, as well. The delightful thing about this securing is that it encourages what general supervisor Brian Cashman and Co. begun a year ago, this entire business of re-tooling the pinstripes.
Dark at last is pitching like an upper-revolution starter following 18 months reroute, a bypass that as of late as at the All-Star Game in Miami a long time prior had administrators bolted about how this would turn out. As one executive revealed to me at that point, there is a distinction "between where they esteem him and what he is." Well, in four July begins, Gray pitched a great deal nearer to Oakland's assessment of him than whatever else: He was 3-1 with a 1.48 ERA and 0.99 WHIP.
Just in the scratch (not Swisher) of time, Gray helped Oakland official VP of baseball operations Billy Beane and general supervisor David Forst press great incentive out of an arrival.
Under club control through 2019, Gray likewise fits not simply with Judge, Gary Sanchez and Luis Severino as they hurry for the extend run for the current year, however he additionally pleasantly will supplement first baseman Greg Bird one year from now (or when he returns)...and shortstop prospect Gleyber Torres when he indicates up...and left-hander Justus Sheffield when he shows up.
See, the Yankees are stacked and stay stacked. This was a major win for them in that they didn't need to purge their solid, patched up cultivate framework to acquire seriously required pitching help for whatever remains of this season and past. What's more, they've empowered an as of now overachieving group in the thick of the late spring.
