TURNS OUT, IT WASN’T A GRAY AREA
The Rockies’ attempt to retain righty Jon Gray fell short this winter when the Rangers outbid them for his services. In a brief meeting with Colorado media at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, this week, Gray said the decision to leave Colorado was difficult.
Gray had publicly expressed interest in coming back, but talks cooled when he was placed on the injured list for a second time last season with a right forearm strain.
Unbeknownst to Gray, the Rangers studied every one of his starts, and this winter they made their interest clear — not only offering an appealing contract, but also suggestions on how he could improve being away from Denver’s altitude.
Gray entered 2022 with not only a new uniform, but with a new slider as well.
“It was my time to kind of move on, in a way,” Gray said. “Then again, the contract was so good — it felt great to have someone say, ‘We think you are this good, and this is why, and we’re going to help you get there.’”
Still, there were the teammates he left behind … but as it turns out, they understand the business side of baseball — and, most importantly, they understand the perspective of their old teammate.
“They were all really happy for me, and that meant a lot,” Gray said. “I went to a Super Bowl party at Kyle Freeland’s house, a bunch of guys were over, and we had a good time.”
