Sonny Gray To The Astros?

(Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

Big trade possibility:
Houston Astros get- Sonny Gray, Player To Be Named Later
Oakland Athletics get- Carlos Gomez, Albert Abreu, Matt Duffy

Trade would most likely take place at the trade deadline

Why it makes sense for the Oakland Athletics:

The Oakland Athletics would take a huge hit in letting their star pitcher go, Sonny Gray has helped the Athletics win games for a few years now. However, Sonny Gray is now in his extension years, and available for arbitration for the next 3 years. If he continues his dominance over batters, he will understandably ask for an increase in player salary. The A’s do not need this kind of deal when they are already locked into contracts with players that are past their prime. Sealing a lengthy deal with Gray would not be the way to go for Oakland.

The lack of outfield in the Oakland A’s organization has plagued them for years. Josh Reddick, Khris Davis, and Billy Butler are not the greatest outfield trio in baseball. The accusation of a proven star outfielder would bolster their depth tremendously. Carlos Gomez is in the last year of his contract, so the Athletics would need to sign him to an extension at the end of the season. However, Gomez would most definitely not ask for the amount of years that Gray would.

With Sean Manaea poised to make his debut this season with the Athletics, he turns the hit of losing Sonny Gray into more of a flesh wound. Then comes Albert Abreu to heal that flesh wound right up. Albert Abreu may not make his debut until 2019-2020, but he could be a key asset for the rebuilding Athletics team. The flame-throwing ability of Abreu gives him a chance to be a frontline starter in any rotation. 16 of Oakland’s top 30 prospects are pitchers, within there has to be a few diamonds in the rough. The depth of potential pitching stars of Oakland easily counteract the loss of Gray.

Matt Duffy is the least attractive piece in this deal, but he wraps up the trade nicely for the A’s. Duffy has already gotten a taste of the majors, showing up in the playoffs and performing well for the Astros. The 1B/3B potential of Duffy gives the A’s a huge lift in two of their most needed positions. He may not be one of the huge star power infielders that the A’s would like to acquire from the Astros, but he’s not far behind.

Why it makes sense for the Houston Astros:

There are many different ways that this trade helps the Astros and their pitching staff. Last season, the Astros had a spectacular deal that sent Cole Hamels to Houston. However, Cole Hamels rejected going to Houston and became the most hated player in all of baseball to the Astros fans. Houston went on to acquire Scott Kazmir, who pitched well and aided the Astros to a playoff run. Kazmir didn’t sign back with Houston at the end of the season, and the Astros are back down to one ace.

An injury to Lance McCullers hasn’t helped the Astros in the slightest, severely hurting their rotation. With Doug Fister and Scott Feldman both being free agents at the end of the season, getting Sonny Gray, and calling up Francis Martes, would give the Astros the opportunity to not have to sign them back. Having 2 aces in Keuchal and Gray, would tremendously increase Houston’s World Series potential. The Astros would only need to worry about making sure Gray stays in Houston until 2020.

Departing with Carlos Gomez would be absolutely huge for the Astros organization. The outfielder Gomez will be a free agent at the end of the season, and they can’t wait to waive goodbye. Leaving Gomez in the dust opens the door to add Preston Tucker into their everyday lineup, and potentially next year, Daz Cameron. Getting something out of nothing would really help the playoff hunting Astros.

A player to be named later doesn’t seem like much to anyone, and for most it isn’t. For the Houston Astros though, it’s huge. Arguably the best team at developing prospects, the Astros would definitely be able to find a diamond in the rough while searching through another teams’ farm system. This would only add to their golden farm league.

Overall:

This deal is a huge help to both teams, the A’s and their rebuilding format get depth, while the Astros get quick results in their quest for a World Series win. The deal probably won’t take place until the trade deadline is approaching. The Oakland A’s may be able to get more out of desperation from the Astros. Regardless, this could has a likelihood of happening and Sonny Gray would be a prime addition for the Astros’ pitching during the pennant race.