Yankees should consider a Sonny Gray for Joe Panik trade

With Yankees GM Brian Cashman stating that he intends to trade failed 2017 acquisition, Sonny Gray, could he find a trade partner with the Giants, while plugging an infield hole with St. John’s alum, Joe Panik?

Sonny Gray’s days with the Yankees are numbered. Following a 6.98 ERA at Yankee Stadium that included 11 long balls in 59.1 innings pitched, general manager Brian Cashman made it abundantly clear he will look to deal the 28-year-old right-hander.

Despite Gray’s struggles in the Bronx, he did pitch like a legitimate big leaguer on the road. In 15 appearances, “Pickles” posted a 3.17 ERA while holding the opposition to a .226 BAA, allowing just three home runs and striking out 78 batters in 71 innings.

So perhaps, Gray can revitalize his career somewhere far away from 1 E 161st St. A flyball pitcher by trade, Gray is entering his final year of arbitration, a number that MLB Trade Rumors estimates to be around $9.1 million.

Though money won’t be an issue for the Yankees considering, they stood below the $197 million luxury tax threshold, thus resetting the penalty, getting back something of value for Gray is important.

More from Yankees News

• Baseball Reference proves Yankees’ Aaron Judge lives rent free in Boston
• Yankees’ Clay Holmes trade just became even bigger disaster for Pirates
• Mets stealing New York Post’s entire Yankees offseason plan is hilarious
• Yankees add to championship core with Wilmer Difo signing
• Aaron Judge’s ‘breadcrumbs’ showed he was never leaving Yankees, has more moves in mind

Now there’s no way they’ll see anything close to what was sent to the A’s in the form of prospects like Dustin Fowler, James Kaprielian and Jorge Mateo. But something serviceable — a player the Yanks can immediately use would be much appreciated.

With Manny Machado recently proving that hustle isn’t for everyone and direct comparisons to the work ethic of Gary Sanchez — Machado to the Bronx this winter to replace the injured Didi Gregorius is no longer a slam dunk.

Though Manny is still one the best all-around players in the game, his attitude and personality may keep the Yankees at-bay from adding him to a group of young, impressionable players. However, a lot can change between now and the December Winter Meetings — and if he genuinely wants to don the pinstripes and concessions are made, it’s still possible.

Pundits have long criticized Bryce Harper for the way he goes about his business on the playing field, and yet it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if he’s in left field next season for the Yanks either.

Back to Sonny Gray and what the Bombers could get for him from the Giants. Joe Panik springs to mind, a man that was briefly linked to the Yankees last offseason, for then Yankee second baseman Starlin Castro.

While pitching is the Yanks’ No. 1 priority (headlined by free agent left-hander Patrick Corbin), they’ll need someone to play second base, should Gleyber Torres shift over to his natural position of shortstop.

The Yankees do have internal options like Tyler Wade, Thairo Estrada or even re-signing Neil Walker, but if they want something viable in return for Gray, more than a couple of low-level prospects, then Panik, the 2016 Gold Glove winner is the answer.

An All-Star in 2015, Panik battled nagging injuries this past season on his way to a less than stellar line of .254/.307/.332 with four home runs and 24 RBIs in 103 games played. His numbers were down across the board from his career stats of .277/.338/.395, 10 homers and 58 RBIs averaged across 162 games during his five-year career.

Now in no way will Panik makeup for the loss of Didi’s bat but he does provide comparable defense at second base. Panik had a .985 fielding percentage across 794.1 innings this season — making the same amount of errors Gregorius did, six.

Panik is entering his second season of arbitration and is expected to make $4.2 million, up from the $3.4 he made in 2018.

In the wide open spaces of AT&T Park, Gray could very well pitch like the five-WAR starter he was in Oakland. Though the Giants look to be a team in transition, as long as they hold onto Madison Bumgarner, they’ll likely make enough moves to stay competitive. And although Gray didn’t work out for the Yankees, he could be a mid-rotation arm back on the west coast.