The Minnesota Twins have acquired right-handed starter Sonny Gray and right-handed prospect Francis Peguero from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for right-handed prospect and 2021 first-round draft pick Chase Petty, the teams announced Sunday.
Gray, 32 years old, started 26 games last season, amassing a 4.19 ERA (114 ERA+) and a 3.10 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He's been a reliably above-average starter since a brief, dismal stint with the New York Yankees. Over the course of the last three seasons, he's posted a 136 ERA+ and a 3.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 68 starts.
Gray is scheduled to make more than $10 million this season. The Twins will hold a club option worth $12 million on his services in 2023.
Adding Gray is the second notable trade for the Twins this weekend. On Saturday, they shipped catcher Mitch Garver to the Texas Rangers in exchange for infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa and right-handed prospect Ronny Henriquez. Gray is also the second notable addition the Twins have made to their rotation this offseason. Prior to the lockout, they signed Dylan Bundy to a one-year pact.
In Petty, the Reds obtain the 26th pick in last summer's draft. Here's what CBS Sports wrote when ranking him the 37th-best prospect in the class:
Few player types are more likely to kindle a draft-room argument than a hard-throwing prep righty. Petty's expected landing range has fluctuated as a result; some envision him going in the crown-end of the first round, while others believe those individuals should be removed from their positions (and, perhaps, polite society). He has big-time arm strength, of course, with which he's broken the 100-mph mark in the past. His slider has also shown promise as a putaway pitch. The drawbacks begin with Petty's fastball shape (it doesn't fit the modern parameters) and extend to his delivery and the risk (of both, the bullpen and attrition variety) that comes with the type.
Petty threw five innings in rookie ball after signing. He struck out six and walked just one of the 21 batters he faced. He recently told MLB.com that the Twins have been working with him to improve his mechanics and optimize his pitches based on his data.
Peguero, 24, appeared in 28 games with the Reds' High-A affiliate last season. He struck out more than a batter per inning but posted a 4.96 ERA.
