THE MERRY-GO-ROUND STOWERS-GRAY TRADE

Photo of: Josh Stowers

Just when you thought it was done, it wasn't... and then it was, and then we got someone from Seattle.

That's the brilliance of Cashman.  Keeping the cards close to the vest and making the right moves any way he can.

Quick note at this point... and then we move on.  Sonny Gray is gone from the Bronx. I'm sure he's thrilled. I know the Yankee fan base is, and by the way... that's OK.  Gray didn't fit in the Bronx and that happens sometimes.  It doesn't mean he doesn't succeed any place else. I actually think he's a solid pitcher. The problem was the dynamic with he and New York didn't work out. And so... now we move on.

Bryan Hoch writes:

"Sonny Gray is receiving the change of scenery he coveted, shipped to the Reds on Monday afternoon as part of a three-way trade that resulted in the Yankees' acquisition of outfield prospect Josh Stowers from the Mariners. 

Thirteen weeks after general manager Brian Cashman candidly said he was "open-minded" to trading Gray, Cincinnati sent infield prospect Shed Long and a 2019 Competitive Balance Round A pick to the Yankees in exchange for Gray and Minor League left-hander Reiver Sanmartin. 

The Bombers then flipped Long for Stowers, who was Seattle's second-round selection (54th overall) in last year's MLB Draft and was rated as the Mariners' No. 10 prospect by MLB Pipeline."

And just like that, the Yankees improved their future.  And that's the genius of this whole thing. You would think that Gray's value was low, but they almost had Shed Long a solid young prospect, but then they improved even more snagging Josh Stowers. Love it.

In the end Gray is gone.  In the end, we just became a better team.