Yankees Daily Trade Deadline Profile: Sonny Gray

MLB’s non-waiver trade deadline is July 31st. As the New York Yankees appear to be in playoff contention, every day this month we will take a look at a player who could be involved in the Yankees’ deadline activity. These players will either be current Yankees who could be traded away or players from other organizations who New York could look to acquire for the playoff push.

The New York Yankees could end up looking for starting pitching help at the trade deadline. If they don’t want just a rental, they may sacrifice a bit more for a controllable starter.

SP Sonny Gray, Oakland A’s, Buy

After Jose Quintana was traded to the Chicago Cubs, Sonny Gray has become the hottest name amongst trade rumors.

The New York Yankees are among the teams that have shown interest in the right-hander.

Gray has two more years of arbitration left. He won’t hit free agency until after the 2019 season as a 29-year-old.

After a rough 2016 season (5-11, 5.69 ERA), Gray has rebounded in 2017 (5-4, 3.72 ERA). Gray’s last four starts have been especially encouraging, going 3-1 with an ERA of 1.33.

More from New York Yankees

• Last Chance Caesars Promo: Claim $1,250 Bonus for ANY MLB Bet!
• Caesars New York Promo Code Gives TWO Chances to Win Betting on Your Yankees!
• PointsBet New York Promo: FIVE $100 Bonus Bets to Back the Yankees or Mets!
• Caesars NY Promo: $1,250 Bonus to Celebrate the Return of Judge!
• Get $500 in Bonus Bets to Back Yankees or Mets With PointsBet New York Promo

Gray could sit atop the Yankees’ rotation for the next two and a half years. He would become even more valuable if Masahiro Tanaka opts out of his contract at the end of the season.

New York also has the financial flexibility to sign Gray to a long-term extension following the 2019 season. Oakland, on the other hand, does not. The risk of losing Gray for nothing in free agency is what will drive the A’s to trade him at the deadline.

There will be plenty of competition for Sonny Gray’s services. The Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs, despite already trading for Jose Quintana, are among the teams that have expressed interest.

After recent deals for Aroldis Chapman in 2016 and Jose Quintana this past week, the Cubs farm system has been depleted. If the Yankees want Sonny Gray, they can outbid Chicago fairly easily.

The Brewers, on the other hand, have a top-five farm system, according to MLB.com. They have the prospect firepower to pull off a deal for Oakland’s 27-year-old right-hander.

If Brian Cashman is going to spend some of his prospect currency at the trade deadline, it will most likely be for a controllable starting pitcher.

Sonny Gray appears to be the only pitcher on the market that is expected to be traded. For the other starters rumored to be dealt, things are still up in the air.

Next: Yankees Daily Trade Deadline Profile: Yu Darvish

Michael Pineda’s recent injury magnifies New York’s need for a starting pitcher and Sonny Gray could be the arm the Yanks go out and get.

Our next profile will be one of the starters that is a “maybe” to be moved at the trade deadline.