New York Yankees Finalizing Deal To Send Sonny Gray To Cincinnati

The New York Yankees are preparing to send their struggling starting pitcher Sonny Gray to the Cincinnati Reds. The deal would include infield (second-base) prospect Shed Long and a future draft pick. There’s potential for a lesser piece that could be included to the Yankees’ benefit.

There seems to be plenty of reason for optimism in regard to Long, as he’s a quality hitter and a decent defender. Last season he had a batting average of .251, which doesn’t jump off the page. He did finished 2016 with a .293 BA and 2017 with .281. Those are more attractive numbers for the infielder.

A good deal for the Yankees:

New York will walk away with a draft pick and a solid prospect to add to their farm system. Gray finished up last season with a 4.90 ERA allowing 138 hits and 14 homers. The pitcher is a known fly-ball artist which didn’t bode well in a smaller Yankee stadium with a short right-porch.

With the acquisition of starter James Paxton, trading away Gray doesn’t damage the rotation. Ridding the team of a struggling player will only benefit the team as a whole and allow the rotation to operate seamlessly with no speed-bumps.