Revisiting the Reds trade that sent Cy Young contender Sonny Gray to the Twins

Sonny Gray first came to the Cincinnati Reds in January of 2019 from the New York Yankees. The trade saw the Yankees send Gray and left-handed pitcher Reiver Sanmartin to the Reds in exchange for infield prospect Shed Long and a 2019 competitive balance draft pick.

Over the course of his first season, Gray started 31 games, finishing the season with a record of 11-8. Gray also obtained an ERA of 2.87 ERA and tallied a career-high 205 strikeouts. The 2020 season however despite being much shorter saw more of the same from Gray.

Gray went 5-3 in 11 starts and sat at a 3.70 ERA. However, Gray's worst season with the Reds would come in 2021, which would mark his final season donning a Reds jersey. In 26 starts, he went 7-9 with 4.19 ERA - his highest with the team.

Revisiting the Reds trade that sent Cy Young contender Sonny Gray to the Twins.

Prior to the 2022 season, the Cincinnati Reds traded Gray, alongside Francis Peguero, to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Chase Petty. Gray was entering the final guaranteed year of his contract, and the Reds were looking to rebuild their farm system.

Since being traded to the Twins, Gray has pitched well and established himself as a mainstay in the Minnesota starting rotation. This year, Gray has started in 28 games, earning himself a record of 7-7. He currently sits at an ERA of 2.96 and has 165 strikeouts this year.

Peguero, however, is still trying to find his footing. The 26-year-old hasn't seen much progression in the minors, as his ERA still leaves much to be desired. In Triple-A, Peguero maintained an ERA of 7.20 before being sent back to Double-A.

On the flip side, the potential is still there for the Cincinnati Reds pitching prospect Chase Petty. Despite not having a win during his 2023 campaign, Petty has kept his ERA below 2.00 and has struck out 61 batters this season while splitting time between High-A Dayton and Double-A Chattanooga.

The Sonny Gray trade very well could be one of the better trades the Cincinnati Reds have made in recent memory. Losing Gray will all be worth it if the potential Chase Petty has comes to fruition and his comparisons to former Reds first-round pick Hunter Greene turn out to be true.