Trade on the horizon for Sonny Gray

After what has felt like years of waiting, a long-awaited Sonny Gray trade may be right around the corner. Jon Heyman of Fancred sports reports a deal could be completed as early as this weekend.

Heyman also reports that the Cincinnati Reds have emerged as the front runners in talks for the Yankee right hander. A potential deal could involve Red’s second base prospect Shed Long or catching prospect Tyler Stephenson, along with a draft pick.

Other teams remain engaged with the Bombers for Gray including the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers. At this point the respective clubs may be on the outside looking in as talks between the Yankees and Reds have advanced.

A trade of the Vanderbilt alum should come as no surprise. Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman told reporters back in October that Gray would be reloacted. Cashman also said the Bombers would be “open-minded” pertaining to a trade of Gray. With the addition of former Mariner James Paxton, the idea of trading Gray has become inevitable.

Gray struggled in 2018, postin a 4.90 ERA over 30 appearences. By seasons end the righty lost his spot in the starting roation. Gray did not pan out in pinstripes, he has not been the pitcher the Yankees expected when trading for him in July of 2017.

Gray began his career in Oakland. After being traded to New York at the deadline in 2017, he pitched well, posting a 3.72 ERA over 65.1 innings to end the season.

A change of scenery should help Gray. Most of his struggles in 2018 came at Yankee stadium where he pitched to a 6.98 ERA, compared to a 3.17 ERA on the road. He is under contract for one more season at $7.5 million.

The right hander would fit right into the Cincinnati roation and certainly bolster it. Gray could be on the move as soon as Monday.