Yankees: If a deal for Sonny Gray is on, it’ll happen today

The Yankees are joining all other teams in the ever increasing fast paced march to the trade deadline Monday night. But today will likely conclude with a decision on whether or not the team does what it takes to land Oakland’s ace.

The Yankees are scheduled to play the Tampa Bay Rays in the final game of their series on Sunday. Sonny Gray is scheduled to pitch for the Oakland A’s on Sunday at home against the Minnesota Twins. And never the twain shall meet?

If the team indeed is in on trading for Gray, and they are willing to pay the reported price for his services, the deal is likely to be consummated over the next few hours, allowing Gray to board a flight to New York and arriving in time to make his scheduled start tomorrow wearing Pinstripes instead of green and gold.

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It’s not an absolute that it happens today, but it makes sense because otherwise, Gray will not be available to make his debut wearing the Pinstripes until Friday, when the team is on the road and facing the Cleveland Indians if the deal is made any later than today.

Editor’s Footnote (5:32 P.M. EST) If the deal does not come about today, expect the A;s to hold Gray back from his scheduled start tomorrow, and until the Monday deadline has passed.

And besides, acting sooner rather than later is always a good idea as the clock keeps ticking and another team can always sneak in there stealing the Yankees thunder, just as Brian Cashman did when he swooped up Todd Frazier from under the nose of the Boston Red Sox.

Other Yankees Trade Rumors

Meanwhile, a sweep of MLB Trade Rumors reveals nothing of significance involving the Yankees. Presumably, talks are still on with the Tigers about re-acquiring Justin Wilson, but nothing has been heard from either camp.

But sometimes when all is quiet, that’s when a bomb hits and you shake your head, “Wow, where did that one come from?” And it’s entirely possible that Brian Cashman has a deal working that no one will know about until the trigger is pulled.

Preview of Today

The Bombers host the Rays in a 1:05 P. M. EST start at Yankee Stadium protecting a half-game lead over the Red Sox.

Caleb Smith (0-1, 8.10) gets his second start for the Yankees, and former Pirate, Blake Snell (0-6, 4.86) goes for the Rays. On paper, Snell looks like an easy target for the Bomber’s lineup, but we’ll see.

The Red Sox play a night game against the red-hot Kansas City Royals, who beat them last night causing the Sox fall into second place.

The news that David Price has landed on the disabled list is music to the ears of all Pinstripe fans, and the development puts further pressure on the Sox to add a last-minute starting pitcher via a trade before the deadline.

Next: Is Ronald Torreyes a indispensable Yankee?

There are no Yankees injuries to report on, and Joe Girardi should have a free spin on the wheel when he posts today’s starting lineup.