Yankees Rumors: Brian Cashman will trade Sonny Gray this offseason

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has openly admitted he intends to trade away Sonny Gray this offseason, and that a smaller market team would be better suited for the right-hander.

Following the Yankees elimination from the ALDS at the hands of the Red Sox, 3-1, general manager Brian Cashman, spoke on Friday at the clubs end of season press conference at Yankee Stadium. Among the many interesting tidbits, Cashman addressed, was that he believes Sonny Gray is best served to pitch elsewhere. Per NJ.com:

"“Someone, if they trade for him, is going to get the player that we wanted,” Cashman said.He added, “It hasn’t worked out this far. I think he’s extremely talented. I think that we’ll enter the winter, unfortunately, open-minded to a relocation. Probably to maximize his abilities would be more likely best somewhere else. But then it comes down to the final decision of the price in terms of trade acquisition and matching up with somebody if we match up.”"

When the Yankees acquired Sonny Gray from the Athletics at the 2017 trade deadline, they surrendered three top prospects including outfielder Dustin Fowler (who was recovering from a severe knee injury), infielder Jorge Mateo, right-handed pitcher James Kaprielian and $1.5 million in international bonus pool money.

At the time, the Yanks thought they were going to receive a dominant frontline pitcher — one that flashed signs of greatness with the A’s in 2015.

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Gray posted a 2.87 ERA from 2013-2015, giving up 157 earned runs, 404 hits, and 36 home runs while striking out 419 opponents. Surprisingly, it was a different story after he was traded to the Yankees — posting a 4.51 ERA in a little over a season and a half — giving up 98 earned runs, 193 hits, and 25 homers while striking out 182 opponents.

After a rocky start to this most recent season, the Yanks demoted him to the bullpen in August 2018 and was replaced by Lance Lynn (3-2). A month later, manager Aaron Boone decided to temporary promote Gray back to the starting rotation, only to give an extra day of rest to Luis Severino.

During his final start and the four games he appeared in as a relief pitcher in, Gray posted a 3.27 ERA, giving up five earned runs, 11 hits, and one home run while striking out 10.

Unfortunately, it seems that Sonny can’t handle the pressure that comes with performing in a big market — even though he isn’t the first player to succumb to the spotlight.

After going 4-7 in ’17 and 11-9 in ’18 as a Yankees, Cashman still believes (at least on the surface) that another team will receive the dominant Gray that the Yanks wanted to place behind Severino in their rotation.

Following the Yankees elimination from the ALDS — Gray, himself, admitted he is unsure what the future holds.

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"Leaving the clubhouse late Tuesday night, Gray said, “I don’t know, man,” when asked about his future in pinstripes."

One possible idea would be to package Gray with other struggling young talents for a reliable starting pitcher.

Those that could be dealt this winter include Greg Bird who slashed a meager .199/.286/.386 with 11 home runs and 38 RBIs — and perhaps even Gary Sanchez, who disappointingly hit .186/.291/.406 with 18 home runs and 53 RBIs.