MLB Trade Rumors: Giants, Athletics, Padres, Others Interested In Yankees' Pitchers

It’s been well known for months that the New York Yankees have been trying to trade Sonny Gray. The organization might finally move on from the right-hander, and other pitchers on the 25-man roster are also drawing interest.

According to multiple reports, the Yankees are getting closer to dealing Gray. The Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers have all been linked to the 29-year-old. The San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics and San Diego Padres all have a shot at coming to an agreement with New York.

Fancred’s Jon Heyman has also reported that teams are asking about the availability of relievers Jonathan Holder and Tommy Kahnle. It’s unknown if the Yankees have much interest in dealing either player.

New York has solidified its pitching staff with several moves this offseason. The Yankees didn’t land a clear ace, despite rumors that they might sign Patrick Corbin in free agency or explore a trade for either Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer.

Still, pitchers like Gray, Holder and Kahnle are more expendable than they were a few weeks ago.

Gray has been on the block since the Boston Red Sox eliminated the Yankees from the playoffs. The veteran had a 4.90 ERA in 2018 and was pulled from the rotation in August. General manager Brian Cashman has been open about the notion that Gray might need a change of scenery after flourishing in a small market before struggling in the Big Apple.

Concerns about trading Gray grew when it was reported a few weeks ago that C.C. Sabathia was forced to undergo heart surgery. Sabathia has been cleared to start pitching, allowing the Yankees to proceed with talks for Gray.

Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka remain under contract with the Yankees. New York re-signed both Sabathia and J.A. Happ in free agency. The team traded for former Seattle Mariners’ pitcher James Paxton to round out the rotation.

It might be hard to argue against the Yankees having MLB’s best bullpen. With Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances and Chad Green all returning, New York re-signed Zach Britton in free agency. They also added free-agent reliever Adam Ottavino to make up for losing David Robertson.

Holder, 25, had a very good 2018 campaign with a 3.14 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 66 innings for the Yankees. Kahnle missed a lot of time with an injury, but he had a dominant 2017 with a 2.59 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 62.2 innings.

Neither reliever projects to be better than the Yankees’ sixth option out of the bullpen.