Cincinnati has a long-term craving for Pickles, as they won’t take Sonny Gray from the New York Yankees unless he signs an extension.
New York Yankees fans thought they were finally rid of Sonny Gray. However, the almost-finalized deal to send the righty to the Reds has hit a wall.
Per Fancred’s Jon Heyman, the trade will only work out if it’s always Sonny in Cincinnati by Monday night:
Gray’s agent Bo McKinnis and Reds don’t have extension yet and have until day’s end Monday to get one done. There’s reason to believe there’s still a very good chance to extend him. But if not, NYY could possibly look at a deal w/SF, OAK, MILW, ATL, etc. or keep him.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 21, 2019
Gray just signed a one-year, $7.5 million deal to avoid arbitration, and he’ll be a free agent after the 2019 season. Cincinnati wants to make sure they get multi-year value in exchange for prospect Shed Long, who is reportedly the main return for the Bombers if the trade goes through.
Long, 23, is Cincy’s numbers seven prospect. He’s a second baseman with power who has slashed .272/.353/.435 in six minor league seasons.
The Yankees could also receive another prospect and a draft pick. But that all depends on negotiations between the Reds and Gray’s agent.
Heyman also tweeted some interesting thoughts about why the extension is likely to get done:
Here’s why there’s still good reason to believe Reds will get extension w/ Sonny: 1. Reds like Sonny very much 2. Sonny has said players want to play where they’re wanted 3. Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson was Sonny’s coach at Vanderbilt 4. Cincy is close to his Tennessee home.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 21, 2019
Such insight is music to many Yankees fans’ ears, as Gray has failed to deliver during his time in the Bronx. The 29-year-old is 15-16 with a 4.51 ERA in pinstripes, after posting a 3.42 ERA and going 44-36 for Oakland.
Brian Cashman began the offseason by putting Gray up for sale, and Cincinnati was one of the first teams interested. But talks for Gray quickly stalled when Cashman asked for the Reds’ high-level prospect Taylor Trammell.
Then, CC Sabathia had an emergency heart surgery, prompting speculation that the Yankees would hold onto Gray as a replacement. However, the hefty lefty is all set to go for spring training, so keeping Gray is no longer necessary.
A change to Cincinnati might do Gray’s MLB career some good. Whether or not he agrees could be clear by the end of business hours on Monday.
