Boston Red Sox Seeking Pitching Upgrades
By Nick Fustor
Sonny Gray
Sonny Gray seems like the obvious trade target at this point, as his name has been fluttering around every front office in the league for the better part of a year. The time to trade Gray may not be the best for the A’s given his struggles this season, but any team inquiring would operate under the assumption that Gray is sick of playing in Oakland’s rundown ballpark and wants a change of scenery.
This season, Gray owns an unsightly 5.54 ERA with 3.65 BB/9, but his 4.31 xFIP indicates he could improve down the stretch. His .301 opponents’ BABIP is 50 points higher than the mark last season, which could be the reason for his inflated stats. Last season, it’s worth noting, Gray had the best year of his career, in which he threw for a 2.73 ERA in 208 innings.
At 28-42, Oakland has no reason to hold onto Gray unless they want to try their luck in the offseason. But if the Red Sox pitching struggles continue, their desperation will only signal good fortunes for the A’s.
The Sox package would have to contain at least one top prospect, and with Moncada and Benintendi off limits, that leaves Rafael Devers. Losing Devers, a 19-year-old third baseman, would hurt in the long run, but the Sox would hope that Travis Shaw is the long-term answer at the hot corner – or that *gasp* Pablo Sandoval figures things out *boos erupt*.
And included in the deal, let’s say the Sox throw in one of their former top pitching prospects in Henry Owens or Brian Johnson. The A’s could probably figure out what’s wrong with them.
The Deal:
Boston Acquires: RHP Sonny Gray
Oakland Acquires: 3B Rafael Devers, LHP Henry Owens, OF Bryce Brentz
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