Milwaukee Brewers: Is Sonny Gray worth acquiring?

NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 12: Sonny Gray #55 of the New York Yankees in action against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium on August 12, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Rangers 7-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

The Milwaukee Brewers have been in the market for rotation upgrades for well over a year. Could one be easily available in New York right now?

The Milwaukee Brewers missed out on acquiring Sonny Gray from the Oakland Athletics at last year’s trade deadline. Gray ended up in pinstripes and now currently finds himself on the outs in the Big Apple.

Although Gray has struggled with a 5.52 earned run average, he is not far removed from being an effective starter in MLB. Last season, Gray finished with a 3.55 earned run average in 27 starts for the A’s and the Yankees. He also compiled a solid 8.5 strikeouts per nine innings along with 2.68 strikeouts per walk during the 2017 season.

However, his run in New York has been a complete disappointment. He has surrendered 93 earned runs in just 173 innings pitched with 97 walks and 162 strikeouts. He has been far from the player the Yankees thought they were acquiring and his time in the Bronx may be coming to a close soon.

Should Milwaukee acquire Gray?

Although general manager David Stearns continues to express confidence in the rotation, the fact remains that The Crew can use reinforcements. As long as the cost isn’t too high the Brewers should definitely try to bring Gray into the fold.

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He has a long track record of success in the Majors and is still just 28-years-old. Although he has struggled for the past calendar year, Milwaukee could be the place to help get Gray back on track.

Reuniting Gray with his former college, and current Brewers, pitching coach Derek Johnson could go a long way in helping Gray fix what ails him. Johnson has begun building a solid reputation for himself around MLB with the work he has done with the Brew Crew over the last few seasons. Plus, a change of scenery is sometimes all it takes to get things going right again and Gray’s performance this year suggests a change is necessary.

Acquiring Gray for Milwaukee would mean not having to depend on unproven players or guys currently injured and working their way back. Brewers fans are all anxious for the return of Jimmy Nelson but we don’t know what we’ll be getting when he returns. Zach Davies hasn’t pitched since late May and there’s still no timetable for his return.

Gray would be tremendous insurance in case either Nelson or Davies is unable to contribute down the stretch. Gray has one more season of arbitration so Milwaukee would have his services for next season as well. However, that is what usually drives the price up in these deals and hopefully, the Milwaukee Brewers are smart enough not to overpay.

Next. A look at the Brewers Top-10 prospects. dark

There’s still good baseball left in Gray’s future. All he needs is the right environment and the people around him and he could thrive yet again. Milwaukee could be the exact place for Gray to find success again.

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