In 2015, Sonny Gray was the A's lone shining light. After a rookie season in which Gray's electric stuff lit up the playoffs and a second season in which he took another step forward, Gray seemed to solidify himself as an ace in 2015, finishing third in Cy Young voting. There were some questions regarding Gray's ability to miss bats and his stamina as he faded down the stretch, but there was never a doubt that he was an asset.
Then, 2016 happened. Gray was downright bad and a guy who was once the cornerstone of a young rotation was the leading cause of disappointment for a team that couldn't do anything right.