Contract Details Released on St. Louis Cardinals' Deal with Sonny Gray
Earlier this week, the St. Louis Cardinals inked veteran starter Sonny Gray to a three-year deal worth $75 million. We know there's an option for a fourth year.
Now, we're learning the exact nature of that contract structure.
Per an article from the Associated Press:
Sonny Gray’s $75 million, three-year contract, announced Monday, calls for a $10 million salary next year, $25 million in 2025 and $35 million in 2026, according to details obtained by The Associated Press. The deal includes a $30 million option for 2027 that the team must first decide. If the option is exercised by the team, the pitcher has the right to opt out.
It's interesting to see the contract so backloaded. Perhaps the Cardinals are trying to tamp down the 2024 payroll but have more freedom coming later in the deal, so that's why they chose to do it this way.
Either way, it's a good deal for Gray and the team, who is coming off an excellent year in Minnesota in where he was just named an American League Cy Young finalist. The 33-year-old went 8-8 with a 2.79 ERA and helped the Twins win the American League Central. They also won a playoff series, beating the Toronto Blue Jays in the wild card round.
Gray just finished his 11th season in the big leagues with the A's, Yankees, Reds and Twins. He's 98-85 lifetime with a 3.47 ERA. He is a three-time All-Star.
Because the Twins extended Gray a qualifying offer this winter, the Cardinals will be forced to give the Twins a draft pick as compensation for signing him away.
In addition to Gray, the Cardinals have also signed veterans Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson to contracts.
They finished last in the National League Central this season.
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