Yankees Trade Rumors: New York Targeting Pitching Prospects For Sonny Gray, Officially Sign Reliever

Sonny Gray New York Yankees — Sonny Gray #55 of the New York Yankees delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning of the game on September 11, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

While most fans are waiting to see if the New York Yankees will sign Manny Machado, the team is working on other moves. The organization reportedly hasn’t had much contact with the superstar infielder in 2019, but they are continuing to monitor the market for Sonny Gray.

Several teams have shown interest in Gray during the offseason. The chances of the pitcher being dealt before spring training appeared to drop with the news that C.C. Sabathia was forced to undergo an angioplasty because of a blocked artery leading to his heart. Sabathia has been cleared to resume baseball activities, and the Yankees are keeping an eye on possible deals.

A future trade with the Cincinnati Reds could certainly happen. Cincinnati has already made a few additions to their rotation this season, and they are considering bringing in Gray to further their hopes of competing next season.

The Reds traded for Alex Wood and Tanner Roark, in addition to acquiring outfielders Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp. Cincinnati has been involved in trade rumors for both Gray and Corey Kluber.

Reds still among teams with interest in Sonny Gray. He has close connection with Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson. Yankees believed interested in multiple pitching prospects -- good ones in the category of Santillan, Gutierrez and Mella. upper level guys with a chance.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 11, 2019

The #Reds are reportedly still among the teams interested in acquiring Sonny Gray. #MLBNHotStove pic.twitter.com/PSsU1m7qgC
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 11, 2019

Even though Gray was bad enough to lose his spot in the rotation last season, the Yankees aren’t ready to give him away for nothing. New York is interested in a few of Cincinnati’s top pitching prospects. Minor-leaguer Tony Santillan is the No.2 pitching prospect in the Reds’ system, according to MLB Pipeline. Vladimir Gutierrez is third and Keury Mella is fourth.

Gray had a 4.90 ERA with the Yankees in 2018, though he did go 2-0 with a 2.60 ERA in 17.1 innings as a reliever. Opposing batters hit .279/.355/.426 against Gray when he pitched out of the bullpen.

The Yankees sent Gray to the bullpen not too long after they added Zach Britton to the bullpen via trade. The former Baltimore Orioles’ closer had a 2.88 ERA in 25 innings with New York, and he has decided to return to the Bronx.

New York officially announced Friday that they have re-signed Britton, inking him to a deal that will last at least two years and could extend through the 2022 season.

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