Sonny Gray is unwanted in the Bronx, but the Milwaukee Brewers are interested in taking him off the New York Yankees’ hands.
If New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman doesn’t ask for Christian Yelich, Josh Hader, and all the beer in Milwaukee, Sonny Gray could end up with the Brewers in 2019.
According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, while Cincinnati has backed off, the Brewers are still “prominent in Sonny Gray talks.”
Such a deal would move Gray from one contender to another, as the Brewers made it all the way to the NLCS in 2018. If Gray goes to Milwaukee and pitches like he did in New York, though, he would hurt his new team’s chances at making the postseason again.
Pickles was 15-16 in pinstripes, with a 4.51 ERA (4.40 FIP). He couldn’t even crack the postseason roster as a reliever in 2018. Cashman started talking about trading Gray almost immediately after the ALDS ended.
In early December, 11 teams had called about Gray, but the Yankees price has been crazy high. When the Reds inquired, the Bombers asked for top-prospect Taylor Trammell in return.
Also, according to the New York Post’s George A. King III, Cashman has “asked about high-end major league talent.”
The asking price for Milwaukee probably depends on Manny Machado. The Yankees are anxiously awaiting Machado’s free agency decision to see what pieces they’ll need going forward.
If the Yankees pull Machado, they could ask the Brewers for a bullpen piece, such as Corey Knebel or Jacob Barnes. Should Machado spurn New York, Cashman could ask for infield help, such as 24-year-old Mauricio Dubon, a career .300 hitter in the minors.
Those are realistic options, though. The way he’s been playing it, Cashman might target Hader or Jeremy Jeffress in the bullpen, or top-prospect Keston Hiura for the infield.
Machado is set to make his decision in January. Once he does, expect Cashman to quickly move Gray.
