When the St. Louis Cardinals signed Gray prior to the 2024 season, visions of the right-hander turning the rotation around and leading the team to success danced in the front office's eyes. Gray was fresh off an All-Star campaign with the Minnesota Twins, when he owned a 2.79 ERA in 184 innings, and the Cardinals believed they had staff linchpin who would serve as a workhorse for the next few seasons.
Now, as the Cardinals wave goodbye to Gray after dealing him to the Boston Red Sox for young pitchers Brandon Clarke and Richard Fitts, it's difficult to view Gray's time with the Cardinals as anything more than a disappointment.