Jon Gray’s Rangers contract has ended, closing a four-year, $56 million deal that once looked like one of the smartest mid-rotation signings in the American League.When Texas won the 2023 World Series, Gray played a huge part, not as the headliner, but as the guy who quietly changed games.His best moment came on the biggest stage: three dominant, scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Game 3, helping the Rangers grab control of a World Series matchup against Arizona.The last two years were harder to watch. Injuries showed up at the wrong times, rehab was longer than expected and his 2025 season was interrupted almost from the start.He’ll get teams contacting about a 1-year deal with maybe some incentives, so here are three clubs where that bet actually makes sense.1. Colorado RockiesThis is where the story started for Gray. Colorado drafted him third overall in 2013 and developed him into their rotation.The Rockies’ rotation has struggled badly for years and they need pitchers who can cover innings without blocking young arms from pitching time later.Colorado knows exactly how Gray prepares, how he competes, what his strengths are, and if anyone is comfortable giving him rehab months before asking for starts, it’s the team that raised him.2. Kansas City RoyalsKansas City has quietly turned itself into a team that knows how to try, not just tank.Its rotation has young pieces, their offense has a star in Bobby Witt Jr. and what they’re missing is a dependable veteran arm who can maybe slot in mid-season once health cooperates.The Royals don’t need Gray to be a 200-inning ace, but they need him to be trustworthy depth with five-inning starts that matter. And if rehab goes well, Kansas City could get real value on a very short, safe contract.3. Tampa Bay RaysIf any team loves this type of project, it’s the Tampa Bay Rays. They have a long history of signing pitchers who are overlooked or injured, rebuilding them slowly and putting them back into useful roles without overexposure.For Gray, Tampa would protect the arm, manage the innings and ask him to be good in bursts, not great for seven months of nonstop games.That’s exactly the type of roster behavior that makes sense for a 34-year-old trying to flip the script on health.