Yankees Rumors: Sonny Gray, a possible trade candidate

Despite coming off his best effort of the season for the Yankees, Jon Heyman reports that there is growing belief Sonny Gray could be traded less than a year after landing in the Bronx.

On Wednesday night, Sonny Gray was dealing for the Yankees. The elevator-like 28-year-old pitched six scoreless innings of three-hit ball while striking out eight.

Coming off consecutive starts where he failed to get out of the third inning, Gray was able to mix and match his two-seam fastball and curve, keeping the Orioles off-balance with a total of 90 pitches (45 curves and 39 two-seamers left six of a different variety).

However, Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports reports that some within the game believe the Yankees will try and move the former 2015 AL All-Star.

"Some believe the Yankees will consider trading Sonny Gray a year after acquiring him. He has struggled this year, and especially so at Yankee Stadium. Some believe it’s either the stadium, or the city, that doesn’t agree with him, and that he’d do much better elsewhere.More from Yankees NewsYankees chose worst possible player to ring in New Year on 2023 team calendarYankees make upside play, sign former Rangers top prospect outfielderMichael Kay’s Anthony Volpe story will get Yankees fans amped for Opening DayNo, Yankees should not acquire Trevor Bauer for 2023Yankees’ Marwin González replaces Red Sox LF in Japan in logical next step"

Under club control through the 2019 season, you wouldn’t think that Gray’s current stats would warrant much in return. After all, a career-worst 5.46 ERA, 1.511 WHIP and 2.18 strikeout-to-walk ratio don’t scream in-demand top of the rotation starter.

As for which team may have interest in Gray, Heyman elaborates:

"If Sonny Gray really is available, it is worth noting the Brewers were runners-up for Gray a year ago. And also that their pitching coach Derek Johnson was Gray’s pitching coach at Vanderbilt."

Whether or not these latest rumors have much volition, the Yankees need Gray to pitch much as he did on Wednesday. Not only would it increase his potential trade value, but the fact of the matter is Gray is still young enough to turn it around and make his mark in the Bronx.

The trade market for consistent starters isn’t great, as recent struggles from veterans like Cole Hamels and J.A. Happ have suggested. Do the Yankees really want to take on more questionable arms when they have enough of their own?

Next: Machado offer doesn’t include Justus Sheffield

As Buster Olney recently suggested on Twitter, acquiring a dominant bat like Manny Machado not only makes the offense better, but it instantly aids the pitcher of the day on the mound.