Yankees Rumors: Speculation surrounds Sonny Gray and J.A. Happ

December 9th will mark the start of the Baseball Winter Meetings in Las Vegas. Therefore, brace yourself for a full month of rumors and innuendo, the most recent having to do with Yankees starters J.A. Happ and Sonny Gray.

With the completion of the General Managers meetings, the next marquee event on baseball’s calendar is the Winter Meetings, set to take place on December 9th in Las Vegas. Yankees GM Brian Cashman now has a full month to reflect on what he recently discovered before the traditional start of hot stove season.

As usual, the Yanks are linked to more than a dozen or so players; however, it’s two pitchers that wore pinstripes last season that Cashman needs to decide on sooner, rather than later.

Being left off the postseason roster was the final nail in the coffin for what was Sonny Gray’s career in the Bronx. Despite his demotion to the bullpen in early August and subsequent 4.90 ERA, the 29-year-old right-hander is still garnering trade interest.

According to Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports, a transition to the National League Central could make sense for the former Oakland ace.

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"Sonny Gray will be dealt, and the Yankees believe “Sonny Gray will go back to being himself” with 29 other teams. The Reds make sense, as do others. He is healthy, just not a fit for the Yankees."

The thought-process behind Gray to the Reds has much to do with his former Vanderbilt pitching coach, Derek Johnson, who recently left the Brewers to take the same job with the Reds. The two still have a strong relationship — as Johnson was instrumental in guiding Gray towards becoming a first-round draft pick in 2011.

Although there has been no chatter as to what a possible trade package would look like, the Reds would be banking on Gray building upon his 3.17 ERA outside of New York.

Heyman cites the A’s as another potential suitor for Gray, a pitcher they know very well, following four and half seasons spent in the Bay area.

"The A’s also seek Sonny Gray. They called on Bay Area native C.C. Sabathia but knew their chances were sim. Perhaps another Yankee, Sonny Gray, could make sense. Gray thrived with the A’s."

Then there’s J.A. Happ, whom the Yankees acquired in July for third baseman Brandon Drury and outfield prospect Billy McKinney.

While Brian Cashman insists that he fully intends to acquire multiple pitchers this offseason, re-signing 38-year-old C.C. Sabathia to a one-year deal isn’t great news for those looking for Happ’s return. Not with Patrick Corbin a realistic free agent possibility and the opportunity to trade for an ace such as Corey Kluber or James Paxton.

Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports that the Yanks may receive competition from a familiar foe for Happ’s services — his former club, the Blue Jays.

"Free agent starter J.A. Happ has drawn interest from #BlueJays and #Yankees, sources say. Those are his two most recent teams. That is the mark of a consistent pitcher and respected teammate."

Personally, I would have made re-signing Happ a priority over Sabathia. Being two years younger and physically healthier, spending the extra millions needed to secure Happ, say, over two seasons, would be well worth it.