From the looks of the 2022 offseason many seemed to be tantalized from the looks of the big market spenders. Those being the Mets, the Yankees, the Rangers, even the Dodgers who had a quiet offseason but still made some noise. But what about the Minnesota Twins? No one really thought twice about the moves the Twins made or the impressive trade deadline they had that went fairly unnoticed.

For starters, the Twins were lackluster in the pitching department in their rotation. But after another trade for the Reds starting pitcher it seemed inevitable about the success Minnesota was going to have soon. The Twins acquired SP Tyler Mahle to pair with old teammate, Sonny Gray to combat the top of the rotation.

Fast forward to the 2022 offseason, Carlos Correa just signed a deal to bring him back to the Twins after having medical disagreements with the SF Giants and NY Mets. The freshly locked up shortstop was the cherry on top to the Twins offseason. But still no one really had their heads turned from the moves they’ve made. Even after trading for RHP Pablo Lopez, getting slugger Joey Gallo on a one year deal and side pieces to pair with the new face of the franchise, people still doubted the future of the Twins.

They thought they won’t overpower the Guardians who went on to go 92-70 and make it all the way to the ALDS in their inaugural season as the Guardians. People questioned the health of the players they acquired over the offseason, doubting if this roster would even pay off knowing all the health concerns these players. That didn’t stop the Twins from making a statement in the 2023 campaign. Through 30 games the Twins are first place with a record of 14-17 and it’s all at the helm of their potent ace Sonny Gray.

Sonny Gray has grown quiet a liking to the new rules. The game of speed is paying off dividends for Gray he is leaving batters clueless in the batters box every 5th game. Nothing has changed for Gray mechanically he just has bene throwing more and has more contact to his curveball and pitches down the middle. After a month of play he is the league leader in ERA (0.77) FiP(2.04) and ERA+(561+) A perfect record with just 3 hits to go with a 4-0 slat is nonetheless impressive it is unworldly. There has only been one greats in this game to accomplish this feat and maintain a lower ERA than Gray, none other than Mets legend RHP Jacob Degrom who did this in the 2021 campaign, with a 0.65 ERA he was on pace for CY Young and MVP before injury derailed his year.

We pray that isn’t the case for Sonny Gray, it looks like he has it clicking for him. He has collected a 2.1 WAR in 6 games which put him tied at #2 with Shohei Ohtani who reached this by pitching and hitting. If Gerrit Cole wasn’t also having a magical start then I would say Gray is the #1 pick to win the AL CY Young, but he is definitely a massive favorite to win the accolade with how he is playing. The two best pitchers in the AL belong to the Twins and Yankees. Maybe this is the year we will see the Twins win a playoff series against the Yankees if they meet in the postseason this year. Two favorites heavily in the CY Young mix, anything is possible with Sonny at the throne. But for now it is looking quite sonny in Minnesota, it’s time to reclaim the throne of the AL Central.