Yankees trading Sonny Gray helps now and in the future

After two and a half seasons with the Yankees, Sonny Gray is headed to Cincinnati. The long-awaited trade will send Gray, along with minor league southpaw, Reiver Sanmartin, over to the Reds in a three-team deal.

Sonny Gray is no longer the Yankees problem. As part of the three-team trade, the Reds included second baseman Shed Long and their 2019 Competitive Balance Round A pick. The Yanks retained the pick but quickly flipped Long to Seattle for center fielder Josh Stowers.

Gray, a former All-Star, couldn’t consistently get it going for the Bombers, who inevitably resorted to dealing the pitcher. Although the return isn’t quite what many would have hoped, Stowers is young — only 21, and adds depth to a farm system that’s beginning to thin out.

Also, draft compensation pick only sweetens the pot. But the primary purpose of dealing Gray is to clear salary space and open a 40-man roster spot that will go to the recently signed Adam Ottavino.

Upon his return from Tommy John surgery, Jordan Montgomery could fill Gray’s long reliever role, unless the Yanks decide to retain Didi Gregorius, Troy Tulowitzki and D.J. LeMahieu on the 25-man roster, thereby limiting the number of available arms in the bullpen.

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The payroll impact — $7.5 million off the books, could be crucial down the stretch.

With the luxury tax threshold set at $206 million for 2019 — a $9 million increase from last year, plus Gray’s unburdened salary, the Yanks have put themselves in a strong position to acquire talent come midseason.

As for Gray, he gets to move on from a failed trial in the Bronx with a helpful new commitment in his new three-year, $30.5 million contract extension from the Reds.

Gray will join a resurgent Reds team, that has recently acquired the established outfield duo of Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig, and starting pitcher Alex Wood and Tanner Roark.

Dealing Gray is another excellent move by the Yankees, putting themselves in prime position to absorb an ace type pitcher.

This offseason, the Yankees showed a slight interest in two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber, who’s salary just so happens to be a manageable $17 million.

As it turns out, the Indians are in need of a first baseman. Jake Bauers (.201 BA last season), currently holds down the fort at first for Cleveland, but Greg Bird could be a potential upgrade.

A win-win all around, the trade gets an A in my book; keeping the Yankees within striking distance of a championship now and in the future.