By Drew VonScioShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe Boston Red Sox made two trades this winter with the St. Louis Cardinals to bolster their roster ahead of the season. One of those trades was for first baseman Willson Contreras, and the other was for starting pitcher Sonny Gray.
Gray is projected to be a middle-of-the-rotation arm for Boston behind Garrett Crochet and Ranger Suarez. As of Wednesday, he has made just two spring training appearances. While the results haven't been the best, manager Alex Cora sees plenty of positives from his new starter.
...“He’s very specific about his work. Every day has a purpose,” Cora told Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic on Tuesday. “It’s been refreshing having a veteran that acts that way. He’s been outstanding for the guys here in camp. ... This guy, he’s still getting better, which is crazy to say, right? Two hundred strikeouts, that’s something that we were looking for, and hopefully we can accomplish that. But I think the competitor, every five days, this guy is going to give you everything. And I’m excited about that.”
Gray is familiar with pitching at Fenway Park and pitching against American League East opponents from his stint with the New York Yankees. That added experience will help make the Red Sox's pitching much better this season.
However, Cora also mentioned that he has helped out a lot in camp. While the specifics weren't mentioned, this is encouraging for young arms like Payton Tolle and Connelly Early -- two pitchers who are very young and in the early stages of their development.
If Gray can do well as the No. 3 pitcher for the Red Sox, it gives the organization the best chance possible to win the division.
More MLB: Josh Hader Injury Gives Veteran Reliever New Opportunity
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