Less than a calendar year after sending a huge package to the Oakland Athletics for All-Star Sonny Gray, it looks like his tenure with the New York Yankees could be coming to an end soon.
Despite New York’s status as one of the top teams in baseball, Gray himself has not panned out in the pinstripes. The 28-year-old starter has pitched to a 7-7 record with a 5.34 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in 19 starts this season. His splits at home are downright disastrous (7.62, 1.89), leading to speculation that New York might simply be too large of a market for Gray to thrive in.
According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, that could lead to the Yankees moving Gray prior to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
“There are a couple of teams sending scouts to watch Gray pitch as the second half opens. Are the Yankees trying to move Gray? That’s the impression some teams are getting. The feeling seems to be he belongs in a smaller market. The Yankees could turn around and flip prospects for a front-line starter,” the scribe reported.
In the midst of a tight AL East race with the hated Boston Red Sox, it remains to be seen if New York can afford to continue throwing Gray out there every fifth day. The team is 9-10 in his 19 starts and 54-24 when Gray doesn’t take to the bump.
Certainly, Gray’s struggles might limit the return that New York receives. But remember, he’s less than a year removed from being the best pitcher on the trade market.
Under contract for one more season, Gray might net New York something of substance as it continues a World Series push. At the very least, teams are intrigued by the possibility of adding him.