Sonny Gray shows up with the Twins ready to start

FORT MYERS, Florida, USA (AP) - Sonny Gray took a few more steps than usual to get to his first practice in preseason training with his new team.

Once the right veteran arrived, he discovered that this is the place he wants to be. The newly acquired starter first worked with the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday after passing his medical exam.

The Twins acquired Gray on Sunday in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds, who are dismantling their payroll. Meanwhile, the Twins have hinted that they will seek to make more changes after incorporating Gray, who finished with a record of 7-9, 155 strikeouts and 4.19 effectiveness throughout 135 1/3 innings in 2021.

“It seems that the Twins are looking for more cards,” Gray said. “That's the moment I'm in my career and all I really care about is winning. I want to win.”

Gray was involved in the second of three swaps that the Twins made between Saturday and Sunday. Minnesota sent catcher Mitch Garver to the Texas Rangers in exchange for shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who was later transferred with third baseman John Donaldson to the New York Yankees to acquire Dominican catcher Gary Sanchez and Colombian infielder Gio Urshela.

But the Twins aren't finished.

Chief Operating Officer Derek Fayley said the club has greater financial flexibility after the Yankees acquired the remaining 50 million from Donaldson's contract. Fayley said he hopes to use that money to meet his needs in rotation, bullpen and shortstops. The Twins have expressed an alleged interest in free agent Trevor Story and are in talks with the Oakland Athletics.

“I hope we are in a better position not only in terms of the squad, but also in the future plan and the flexibility it creates for the upcoming negotiations,” Fayley added.

Gray and his family were on their way to the airport with the aim of traveling to Arizona for the Reds spring training on Sunday, when Cincinnati General Manager Nick Krall spoke to him and broke the news. Gray quickly realized that he would now have to travel to Florida and returned home to reorganize.

The Twins wanted Gray, twice elected to the All-Star Game, to settle down after he arrived on Tuesday with his family. But the pitcher wanted more activity.

Not only did he participate in the photo day and his medical exam, Gray joined his teammates in the field for a pitcher practice. He later signed autographs and posed for some photographs with the fans.