In a dramatic press conference at the Winter Meetings 2025 in Dallas, New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman exposed former pitcher Sonny Gray – who played for the team from 2017-2019 – accusing him of “blatantly lying” about his desire to join the Yankees. “He told everyone he wanted to play for us, but later admitted it was completely fabricated!” Cashman recounted, his voice filled with indignation, responding to recent comments from Gray (now the Cardinals’ ace) on a podcast, where he referred to his time with the Yankees as a “personal disaster.”
Let’s rewind to 2017: The Yankees traded James Kaprielian and two other prospects from Oakland for Gray, hoping he would be the “future star” to replace aging CC Sabathia. But Gray flopped disastrously: 4-7 with a 3.72 ERA in the first 11 starts, and even worse in 2018 (8-7, 5.08 ERA). Yankees fans called him “bust,” and Gray once confessed he “hated New York” because of the pressure from Yankee Stadium – where the noise from the crowd made him “lose his mind.” Now, Cashman reveals the drama behind it: Gray was “instructed” by agent Rick McKinnis to lie to avoid affecting his free agency. “He told me, ‘McKinnis said to say that, otherwise the free agency will fail!'” Cashman smirked, recounting that Gray later “admitted everything” in a private conversation.
Gossip spread like wildfire on X (Twitter): Cardinals fans trolled “Yankees deserved to be fooled!”, while Yankees die-hards dug up a clip of Gray crying after the 2018 loss to the Red Sox, calling him the “drama queen.” Some inside sources whisper that Gray “regrets” stabbing Cashman in the back – who had defended him against criticism from Steinbrenner-style owner Hal Steinbrenner. Gray is now shining in St. Louis (2.45 ERA 2025), but the Yankee past still haunts him: He avoids interviews about NY, only saying “it was a life lesson.”
Cashman used this drama to “warn” the offseason: “We’re not chasing ‘liars’ anymore – now we’re focusing on real aces like Tarik Skubal!” The Yankees are hunting for a big support player, but the Gray affair worries fans: Will Cashman be “blind” with his next trade? Or is this just revenge from a bitter GM after Gray rejected a qualifying offer years ago? Either way, this scandal promises to heat up the Winter Meetings, with the Mets and Dodgers eagerly anticipating how the Yankees will get their revenge.
Tabloid analysis: This isn’t just old beef (Yankees vs. former player), but also reminiscent of the Steinbrenner drama – where a multi-million dollar contract was scrapped because of “personal issues.” Gray, now 35, has a peaceful private life with his wife Jessica (married in 2013, two children), living in Nashville away from New York paparazzi. But Cashman’s “digging up dirt” could cost him points at a future free agency. Yankees fans: 60% support Cashman’s “bluntness,” 40% call it “petty” (according to an ESPN poll). If you were Gray, how would you respond? Comment below!
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