Heading into the last few days of the MLB Trade Deadline, it had seemed like the New York Yankees were the front runners to land Sonny Gray from the Oakland A’s.
Now, it seems like they may not get the ace pitcher from Oakland given the latest demands.
Heading into late Thursday night, reports had indicated that the Oakland A’s were demanding either Clint Frazier or Gleyber Torres in return for Sonny Gray. This is much different from the earlier rumblings that Oakland was looking to acquire Jorge Mateo, Domingo Acevedo and Estevan Florial.
Mateo, Acevedo and Florial are all highly ranked prospects in the Yankees system. But to make the jump from them into the system’s crown jewels like Torres and Frazier is asking for much more than expected.
Oakland asking for them in this potential trade package could also mean that the A’s have other offers for Sonny Gray and they are raising the ante up on the Yankees. Aside from the Yankees, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros were all reported to having interest in Gray as well.
If that is the case, and Oakland is looking to get even more out of the Yankees for Sonny Gray, then it’s best for Brian Cashman to pass and look elsewhere for starting pitching.
Sure, Sonny Gray is a good pitcher. But is he that good to the point where you start handing over the best players to come from the system; one of which is now a current starter on the major league level in Frazier?
That answer, is no. It’s no 100 times out of 100.
The Yankees parted with Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller in order to land Torres and Frazier in their respective deals last summer. Those deals were the reason why the Yankees were able to build their farm system into one of the best in baseball and have put themselves in the position they are in now.
By trading either of them away, especially for someone like Sonny Gray, it takes away from the process. Sonny Gray is a good pitcher. But he’s not a game changer that will help get the Yankees to the World Series like for say, Chris Sale would.
The Yankees would be better off to hang onto their young guys like Torres and Frazier since they are both building blocks for the future that looks bright. And if Oakland keeps on persisting for them, then the Yankees should look elsewhere for another starter; one that won’t cost them their future.