Yankees Trade Rumors: Reds, Athletics Have Spoken With New York About Deal For Pitcher

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

New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has made it clear this offseason that he wants to trade Sonny Gray. Two weeks into free agency, it appears that the organization is close to moving on from the starting pitcher.

The Yankees have reportedly spoken with multiple teams about Gray. According to SNY.tv’s Andy Martino, New York has received several offers. The Cincinnati Reds might be the frontrunners to complete a deal.

As #Yankees and #Reds discuss a Sonny Gray trade, one would expect Yankees to ask for Cincinnati’s top shortstop prospect, given injury to Didi Gregorius. His name: Jeter Downs. (Alas, Jeter spent this year in the Midwest League and probably isn’t ready to fill in at @MLB level.)
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 16, 2018

Sources: #Yankees, #Athletics have had contact about a deal that would send Sonny Gray back to Oakland, but there is no present momentum in talks. Oakland is looking for pitching and clearly comfortable bringing back former A’s (Cahill, Anderson, et al). @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 16, 2018

“It hasn’t worked out thus far,’’ Cashman said at a press conference at Yankee Stadium after the team was eliminated from the playoffs. “I think he’s extremely talented. We’ll enter the winter, unfortunately, open-minded to a relocation. To maximize his abilities, it would be more likely best [for him to be] somewhere else.”

Gray, 29, is entering the final year of his contract before becoming a free agent for the 2020 MLB season. After proving to be a reliable starter for the Oakland Athletics, Gray struggled for one and a half seasons in New York. He had a 4.90 ERA during the 2018 season and was moved to the bullpen in early August.

Perhaps Gray will perform better by returning to a smaller market. He started more than 30 games in both 2014 and 2015 with a combined ERA below 3.00. Gray had a 3.43 ERA in 16 starts during the 2017 season before being traded from Oakland.

The Yankees traded minor-leaguers Dustin Fowler, Jorge Mateo and James Kaprielian for Gray. None of them have yet to make an impact in the majors.

Cashman has stated that the Yankees are trying to add multiple impactful starting pitchers this offseason. Free agent Patrick Corbin has been heavily linked to New York. The Yankees could trade for a starter with pitchers like James Paxton, Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco available for the right price.

Major league baseball