MLB Trade Rumors: Sonny Gray, Yu Darvish, Justin Verlander Available Before Deadline

With just a few hours remaining until the 2017 MLB trade deadline, potential playoff teams are eyeing last-minute deals. A few impactful starting pitchers are at the center of the latest rumors, and at least one big name appears likely to be moved.

The Oakland Athletics have been shopping Sonny Gray, and he’ll be traded if the team gets a suitable offer before 4 p.m. EDT. The Texas Rangers look ready to deal Yu Darvish, and the Detroit Tigers are considering deals for Justin Verlander.

READ: Sonny Gray A Target For New York

The New York Yankees are the top suitor for Gray as they look to bolster their rotation in hopes of making a run this October. New York already made a trade with the Chicago White Sox earlier this month to improve their bullpen, and the team’s starting pitching is their most glaring weakness. With a first-place lead in the AL East on the day of the deadline, the Yankees are a clear contender to reach the World Series.

A rotation led by Luis Severino, C.C. Sabathia and a struggling Masahiro Tanaka, however, is probably not good enough to win a championship. Gray is a good fit for New York since he’s a young, cheap option that won’t become a free agent until after the 2019 season.

Because Gray is such a valued commodity, Oakland has been in pursuit of one of the Yankees’ top prospects. The A’s have reportedly given up asking for either Gleyber Torres or Clint Frazier, New York’s two best prospects. The Yankees are willing to trade valuable minor leaguers, but the two sides have reportedly reached a stalemate with the deadline approaching.

The Los Angeles Dodgers had been linked to Gray, but they might be more likely to make a deal for Darvish. Because Darvish will be a free agent in the winter and the Rangers have virtually no chance to win the AL West, the team is looking to get something in return for their ace.

L.A. is a lock to make the playoffs, and they could finish the regular season with one of the best records in National League history. They would essentially be making the trade for a handful of postseason starts as they try to win their first World Series since 1988. Los Angeles currently has a roster that’s good enough to win the title, but the recent injury to Clayton Kershaw that could keep the pitcher out until September might motivate the Dodgers to make a deal.

Verlander has been linked to the Dodgers, though he’s less likely to end up in Los Angeles than Darvish. Detroit won’t be headed to the playoffs unless they have an incredible final two months of the season, but the right-hander is signed through at least the 2019 season and can help the Tigers next year.

“I think he’s a Tiger at heart,” Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said Sunday after Verlander pitched, via The Detroit Free Press. “Quite frankly, I think he’s going to be a Tiger on Tuesday. I think fans will have another chance to watch Justin pitch.”