*Photo from Covering the Corner*
Marcus Semien was not the only major snare in the Texas Rangers plans. The Rangers and RHP Jon Gray have agreed to a 4 year, $56 million contract, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The deal has been confirmed by the Rangers.
Before signing with the Rangers, Gray had spent his entire major league career with the Colorado Rockies, after being selected by the Rockies with the 3rd overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft out of Oklahoma. He reportedly got a competitive offer from the Rockies to return this winter, but instead he goes to Texas.
Last season with the Rockies, it was the usual up and down season for Gray. He posted a 8-12 record with a 4.59 ERA and 1.32 WHIP, striking out 157 hitters while throwing 149 innings, starting 29 games for the Rockies, easily being their most durable pitcher last season.
Across his 7 years in the majors with the Rockies, Gray has a 53-49 record with a 1.33 WHIP and a 4.59 ERA, tossing 829 1/3 innings across 151 starts and one relief appearance. Gray's only playoff experience is being the losing pitcher in the Rockies 2017 wild card game defeat to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Most pitchers tend to do better away from the insanely home run friendly Coors field, but Gray was an exception. His 4.02 ERA at home last season was far and away better than the 5.22 ERA he posted on the road. Since his first full big league season in 2016, Gray has been among the NL leaders in innings pitched, strikeouts, and wins, which will be a welcome addition to the Rangers pitching staff.
The signing of Gray was a necessity for the Rangers, who saw their starting rotation in 2021 finish with a dismal 5.33 ERA in 2021, which was the 3rd worst mark in baseball. Gray brings experience to a Rangers rotation that needs it, with veterans Kyle Gibson traded last year and Jordan Lyles allowed to walk in free agency.
Gray will most certainly be the ace of a Rangers rotation full of young talent. The Rangers rotation is expected to include Gray, Dane Dunning, Taylor Hearn, Spencer Howard, and top prospect AJ Alexy. Top pitching prospect Glenn Otto could also be in the mix for innings this year, and Jack Leiter will begin his first full season in the minors in 2022.
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