Yankees: The five biggest surprises during the 2018 season

No Yankee was more disappointing in 2018 than Sonny Gray. 2017’s big trade deadline acquisition had a miserable year for the Yanks and he likely won’t be back in 2019. The Yankees expected Sonny to be great atop their rotation alongside Luis Severino but by the middle of the summer, he was moved to the bullpen. Things didn’t get much better for Sonny in the pen as he went on to finish his season with an 11-9 record and a 4.90 ERA.

Gray just doesn’t seem to have what it takes to be successful pitching in New York and a change of scenery makes sense for him and the Yankees. He had a terrible time pitching home at Yankee Stadium with a 6.98 ERA and 11 home runs given up. He was also awful against the Red Sox and it seemed like everytime the Yankees really needed him to step up in a big game he did the opposite.

A lot was made over Gary Sanchez being the reason for Gray’s struggles but he pitched just as poorly with backup Austin Romine behind the plate. It’s a shame because Sonny still has the stuff to be an above-average big league starter but I just don’t think that will ever happen in a Yankees uniform.

The Yankees gave up a lot to get him and it simply just hasn’t worked out at all and now it’s time to move on and trade him to place where he has a better chance to succeed. Hopefully, things will work out better for Gray wherever his next stop is and the Yankees can get something of value in return.