Thursday, October 25, 2018

YES! TRADE PARTNERS FOR SONNY GRAY DO EXIST!

Photo: MLB.com
I really wish the Sonny Gray trade would've worked out for us. On paper, his performance with the Oakland A's looked like the Yankees were going to get the upgrade to the rotation that we really needed. It just didn't work out. Baseball is funny like that I guess. That's one of the things I love so much about this game....anything can happen.

Photo: NJ.com
So since "anything can happen" should the Yankees give it another shot or move on? I think it is time to move on, more importantly so does Brian Cashman but CC Sabathia does not, read that HERE. I still disagree, but that's one thing I have always loved about CC, he always sticks up for his team so it's no surprise that he is Sonny's biggest cheerleader right now.

Photo: MLB.com
Cashman has made his position pretty clear, he will look to move Sonny if there is a potential trade match out there and there might be. Yes, Sonny Gray has been terrible for us, but even as bad as he was I still think there is a team out there for him somewhere especially if his new home comes with a little less pressure. Maybe one of these are a good fit Cashman could check in with....

1. Milwaukee Brewers

Photos: Scott Paulus/Milwaukee Brewers
I think this move makes a ton of sense. Watching the postseason this year one thing stuck out about this team like bad teeth, the lack of starting pitching. They relied too much on relievers and had no trusted starters. Gray could be a low-risk depth move for them. Oh and the Brewers pitching coach Derek Johnson was Sonny's pitching coach when he was at Vanderbilt. If anyone can fix him, this man probably can.

2. Oakland A's

Photo: CBS Sports
Sonny's old team also stood out like bad teeth. A team is in dire straits when they go into a "one and done" playoff scenario and they have no trusted starter to pitch. The A's were a great offensive hitting team this year but the pitching became a problem when two of their trusted arms went on the disabled list. The A's know Sonny probably better than anyone. Maybe he could rebound again back on his old turf.

3. Chicago White Sox

Photo: AP
The White Sox have chased a lot of big names in recent years as they try to rebuild. The rebuild definitely stalled this year, but that still didn't stop them from chasing after Manny Machado at the trade deadline. Sonny could be another piece that they try to rebuild around and they also need rotation help. Oh and the White Sox also have one of my favorite pitching coaches, Don Cooper. I think the man is a genius and he has proven ability to fix struggling pitchers.

4. Seattle Mariners

Photo: WDEF
The Mariners have a lot of depth and some known names on their pitching staff but I would say a lot of them are unreliable. They've had too much instability in the rotating rotation. One of the game's best pitchers King Felix Hernandez has really fizzled over the last few years and the Mariners need some more stability. If Sonny rebounded it would give Seattle a good one-two pitching combo. They started off well this season, and faded along the way. If they want to compete in the AL West they need better pitching.

5. Houston Astros

Photo: Houston Chronicle
They may not seem like a match at first but the Astros could possibly lose both Dallas Keuchel and Charlie Morton to free agency. The Astros have internal options but they still need some more help especially if they want to push to get back in the postseason again. The Astros have a good core of young players but their pitching is a weakness, especially if they lose two of their best starters. They did have interest in Sonny at the 2017 trade deadline as well so they may be interested again.

6. Los Angeles Angels


Photo: USA Today Sports
It's mission "win now" for the Angels. They only have two seasons before Mike Trout becomes a free agent (if they don't lock him up long term....I WOULD!) The Angels are going to push hard to win before possibly losing Trout and to get there they NEED pitching. GM Billy Eppler and owner Arte Moreno have already said their number one priority this season will be pitching. They have a pretty good offense, but the pitching is the weakness.

I like Cashman's approach. He was open about trading Sonny because he knows there are opportunities out there. I think if he as worried he wouldn't have said anything. I want the best for Sonny. He's a good guy, just maybe not the right guy for the Yankees.



--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @Nyprincessj



20% Off at SteinerSports.com with code YANKEEBLUE2017

No comments:

Post a Comment

Thank you for commenting on Bleeding Yankee Blue.

20% Off at SteinerSports.com with code YANKEEBLUE2017