The New York Yankees are looking to add starting pitching before the trade deadline, and have shown a lot of interest in Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole.
However, A's ace Sonny Gray may be New York's top target this summer, according to Brendan Kuty of NJ.com.
It’s early, but A’s ace Sonny Gray could certainly end up in what’s expected to be a plentiful starting pitcher trade market this summer. He could join big names such as the White Sox’s Jose Quintana, the Pirates’ Gerrit Cole, the Giants’ Johnny Cueto and more. Heck, he could top the list.
Gray would be an enticing option for obvious reasons. He's seemingly healthy and pitching well — Gray gave up just two runs in six innings in his last start — after a brutal 2016, in which he was often hurt and and posted a 5.69 ERA. He's also just 27 years old with three more seasons of team control.
Usually, teams don’t give up guys like that. But the A’s are different. They’re small market. They’re run by Billy Beane. And we’ve seen Beane trade a star in Josh Donaldson the year before he jumps into salary arbitration. Guess when Gray becomes arbitration eligible.
It goes without saying, though, that the Yankees would have to cough up a lot for a top-notch Gray. Oakland would start with asking for top prospect Gleyber Torres and probably even want another top-tier guy, maybe a Clint Frazier or a Blake Rutherford or somebody in the majors and excelling, like Luis Severino. It’s just a matter of how “all in” the Yankees are and how much Oakland wants.
Gray has been at the center of trade rumors before, and several contenders figure to be interested in adding him before the deadline, which could create a bidding war.
In four stars this season, Gray is 1-1 with a 3.97 ERA and 17 strikeouts.
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