Well, I’m disappointed. Jon Gray was a very obvious fit for the Cubs, even in the current period where 2022 is not a “ball out for it” year, and he ain’t coming. There haven’t been many free agents who’ve signed elsewhere that I specifically wanted for the Cubs, but Gray was one of them. I’m chapped. When Kevin Gausman gets 5/$110 million from the Blue Jays, I don’t really take that as any kind of referendum on what the Cubs did or didn’t do this offseason. He would’ve been a stretch for them at this moment in time, logically speaking.
But Gray, even for four years, makes sense. The Cubs need starting pitching badly, and if they actually want to give 2022 a legit shot to see what happens, I don’t know that they can do it all with one-year deal leftovers later in the offseason. I guess we’ll find out.
Gray will be signing with the Rangers shortly:
Hearing Rangers closing in on final details to complete agreement with Jon Gray. Would be their 3rd addition of the day.
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) November 29, 2021
Jon Gray’s deal with Texas is for four years, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 29, 2021
UPDATE: It’s a reasonably large overall guarantee for the risks that come with Gray, so I can underSTAND certain other teams not pushing in on him. But the AAV is reasonable:
Jon Gray will get $56 million over four years from Texas, pending a physical, according to a source.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 29, 2021