FAVORITE SON’
It's looking like Yanks will land Gray, but at what cost?
SONNY GRAY ending up a Yankee rested somewhere between likely to inevitable as the sport moved into the last full day of talks Sunday before Monday’s 4 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline.
There was no deal done Saturday night and caution always reigns until all parties agree — and the Athletics and Yankees had not made a significant deal in 15 years. There was a sense Saturday night the sides were digesting a latest round of information and that a deal could come Sunday. But one executive who has been involved in Gray talks said he believed the Yankees were holding firm in what they were willing to offer because they were unsure if any other team was seriously bidding on the righthander.
As recently as Saturday morning, there were executives who still were describing the Braves, Cubs and Dodgers as “stealth” contenders for Gray, with the Astros and perhaps the Brewers also as involved parties. Nevertheless, there was a growing perception the Yankees have been the favorites all along and have the desire and prospects necessary to finalize a deal.
The A’s announced Gray would not make his scheduled start Sunday and will be pushed to Monday night after the deadline, if he still is in their uniform. In letting Gray start, there was little to gain and lots to lose, especially if he suffered an injury.
One of the Yankees’ rising pitching prospects, Zack Littell, was a healthy scratch Saturday night. He was described as be- ing involved in trade discussions but not necessarily on Gray. The Yankees are having talks on several fronts, lining up possibilities if Gray falls through while still contemplating options at first base and left-handed relief. For Gray, Littell would be a secondary piece in a package that almost has to start with a well-regarded prospect such as Estevan Florial or Jorge Mateo.
For leverage, Oakland officials have pointed out that Gray is under control through the 2019 season, and thus, if they do not receive what they believe is a fair return, they simply will hold on to him and market him again in the offseason.
Nevertheless, the broad sentiment outside of the Oakland front office was explained well by one NL official who said in a text: “He’s definitely getting moved. The A’s would be CRAZY to hold him given how well he’s pitching.”
Indeed, there might never be another point at which Gray’s performance, health and industry need align this well. He has a 1.37 ERA in his past six starts and has held opposing hitters to a .486 OPS.
For all the concerns about their rotation, Yankees starters actually had the fourth-best ERA (4.13) in the AL and were particularly encouraged by Masahiro Tanaka’s performance Friday. But the Yankees also know they currently are plugging the fifth spot with Caleb Smith, will be pushing the young arms of Jordan Montgomery and Luis Severino in a pennant race, and consistently worry about the health of Tanaka and CC Sabathia.
For the third time in the past six games — and the second time in Smith’s two career starts — manager Joe Girardi pulled a starter Saturday earlier than he would have before the Yankees’ addition of Tommy Kahnle and David Robertson. But even with a deeper bullpen and the ability to expand the staff come Sept. 1, can the Yankees really afford to have short starts so frequently?
So, they are focused on Gray for the stretch run now and to help solidify their rotation in 2018-19 too.
If neither side blinks, the Yankees could pivot to a stopgap walk-year type such as Jaime Garcia or Lance Lynn. But as of Saturday night, the Yankees seemed to be pushing toward Gray.