It's Not Always Sonny In New York

Last trade deadline, Brian Cashman made a move for a starting pitcher that he and the Yankee community believed would be the star arm this team was looking for. This trade deadline, the front office and the fans are holding their heads in their hands watching their second "star pitcher" sabotage the team from the inside. Sonny Gray has posted a 5.85 ERA with a 5-7 record this season. In his 17 starts so far this season, about five haven't been atrocious.

The need for the Yankees to add another star pitcher into their rotation is paramount for future success this season. Houston has a juggernaut rotation, Boston is playing stellar baseball, and the rest of the American League is not too far behind. There is a plethora of role-playing pitchers in the Yankees clubhouse currently, players like Domingo German and Jonathan Loaisiga, along with the best farm system in baseball. Severino is the ace, C.C has been pitching well, and Tanaka is hurt. Getting rid of Sonny Gray will not only solve a problem for the rotation, but strengthen the team in a time where two of their starters are injured. Dumping Sonny Gray off to a team with a valuable asset in return is the way to go for the New York Yankees. Here are some potential options for trades I believe would be beneficial for both teams involved.

1. Jacob DeGrom and the New York Mets
This has been the top trade rumor since the beginning of the season. The mets are in disarray, except for DeGrom, who in 115 innings for the Mets has gathered a 1.79 ERA, only giving up 23 earned runs paired with 142 strikeouts. DeGrom is no fit for the Mets right now. They need to improve, and the only way to get better is to add pieces, which the Yankees have. The Mets will ask for either Gleyber Torres or Miguel Andujar for their ace, but Cashman is adamant on keeping those two around. If the Yankees were to offer Clint Frazier, Sonny Gray and some star prospects like Estevan Florial and Albert Abreu, I could see the Mets biting on the hook. Frazier has proven himself to be a worthy day to day player, Sonny Gray would need some fine tuning and possibly a minors stint to get his groove back, and Florial and Abreu add youth and potential star power to a team that needs both of those things very much. A Yankee rotation with DeGrom and Severino is exactly what they need to pass Houston come October, and the Mets need a top to bottom rebuild which can happen after this trade.

2. J.A. Happ and the Toronto Blue Jays
While inter-division trades, especially mid season are rare, this is one that could happen. The Blue Jays sit at 41-47 today, 16 games back of the first place Boston Red Sox. As it seems like the AL East is turning into a two horse race as the all-star break approaches, Toronto could want to make some moves. Happ is in his final year of a three year deal, and a rental period before a possible signing with the Yankees could be good for his career. The Blue Jays would need some youth in return, however the haul for the Blue Jays wouldn't be as substantial as what the Mets would acquire. Here, we could see a Sonny Gray and two prospects to the Blue Jays for Happ, or Sonny Gray and Clint Frazier with a prospect. The doubts around this trade lie more in will the Blue Jays help out the Yankees, a division rival, more than will the Jays give up Happ. They're looking to get younger, and a proven veteran arm like Happ may not fit the team's vision going forward. This is a trade I'd be excited to see.


There are many other trades possible that could get Sonny Gray the hell out of New York, but I feel these two would be the most sucessfull. Both are proven pitchers who excel against the top offenses this league has to offer. Happ is familiar pitching against the Red Sox and Astros, the Yankees two biggest competitors come playoff time. So long as Gray is off this team by July 31st, I'll be happy. He is an anchor that will continue to drag this playoff, possibly World Series bound team into the ground. As it stands right now, Gray should be in the bullpen for the remainder of the season and into the playoffs. Brian Cashman, do what you do best. Wheel and deal Sonny Gray around the league and out of New York, so the team can finally get the veteran ace it's been looking for.