New York Yankees: Sonny Gray talks heating up as trade looks likely once again

The New York Yankees have experienced a resurgence of interest in starting pitcher Sonny Gray, but just who might still be interested in his services.

The New York Yankees, per the usual, just can’t stay out of the Hot Stove news and rumor mill. Thursday the big news coming from the Yankees was the signing of Adam Ottavino for what looks like a steal of a 3 years and $27 million deal. That news of the Ottavino signing was quickly accompanied by the news that talks for Sonny Gray are heating up and even that a deal may be close.

Early on in the offseason, Gray looked like a likely trade target for many teams that were looking to upgrade their rotation. With one year and $7.5 million left on his contract and coming off a rough 2018, he seemed like a perfect buy-low trade target. That was until rumors of the Yankees asking price began to emerge.

Around early to mid-December we began to learn that the Yankees were asking for high-end major league talent in return for Gray. While the steam on Gray died down for a while it appears there are reportedly a number of teams again interested in the right-hander.

Jon Heyman reminded us that originally some teams that were interested in Gray were the Cincinnati Reds, San Fransisco Giants, Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics, Atlanta Braves, and Seattle Mariners. In the most recent talks, it seems the Athletics and Padres are certainly still in on Gray.

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Even after a dismal 2018, Gray could still provide a good upgrade for a team that would like to upgrade their rotation. Of course, after a season in which we saw him throw 130.1 innings with a 4.90 ERA and be demoted from the Yankees rotation an acquisition of Gray does have its risks.

At the same time, Gray certainly may simply need a change of scenery with his well documented awful performance in New York of a 6.98 ERA while pitching at home. What is giving teams that are looking at him, and fans looking at him, is his 3.17 ERA away from Yankee stadium.

It makes a whole lot of sense that the Padres and Athletics would be in on Gray. The Athletics made it to the postseason this past season but could use some huge additions to their rotation as they rode a very good bullpen to that postseason appearance. The Padres are trying to jump back into contention and certainly need starting pitching additions as well.

So much has already changed since mid-December so it will be interesting to see how many of those initial teams are still in the mix or if some of their earlier offseason moves may take them out of the mix with the Yankees on Gray.