Angels Rumors: Trade scenarios for Reds pitcher Sonny Gray

Of all the young players in the Angels farm system, outfielder Brandon Marsh will be one of the most sought-after trade chips. Marsh is currently ranked as the No.1 Angels prospect and listed at No.73 on the MLB Top 100 list.

At 23-years old, Marsh looks poised to take over a corner outfield spot for the Angels at some point in the near future. In 2019, Marsh slashed .287/.368/.408 with seven home runs and 45 RBI through 101 games in double-A and the Arizona Fall League.

Marsh is also considered to have plus-base running speed and plus-defense in the outfield.

After running a scenario that involves Marsh (value-37.5) for Gray (value-29.7) straight up, the trade simulator considers the Angels to ‘moderately overpay’ in this scenario.

The Angels currently have no clear-cut choice for a starter in right field, and the declining production of Justin Upton could lead to finding a replacement in left field before his contract expires after 2022.

Would trading Brandon Marsh for Sonny Gray involve the Angels giving up too much?

This leads to the perfect scenario where Marsh slides into a corner position and develops next to one of the game’s best in Mike Trout. I would argue Marsh could even earn a spot on the opening day roster depending on how well he performs in spring training.

Cincinnati’s outfield depth is full at the moment, but right fielder Nick Castellanos has one-year remaining on his current deal. Considering the Reds are shopping Gray and fellow starter Luis Castillo, I think it’s safe to assume Cincinnatti would consider parting ways with Castellanos at the deadline if the team has fallen out of contention.

I think this scenario all goes back to whether or not Arte Moreno and the Angels are in a ‘win-now’ mode. The organization needs to consider if the Halos need more help in the outfield or the rotation, and which position is easier to improve.

If not Marsh, the Angels have a young outfielder with MLB experience the Reds may consider.

Another Angels outfielder who might be considered closer to the MLB level is Jo Adell.

Adell was selected out of high school with the 10th overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft. The young-outfielder quickly rose through the system and slashed .289/.359/.475 with ten home runs and 36 RBI through 76 games across three levels in the minor leagues in 2019.

In 2020 Adell impressed in spring training but struggled at the major league level. The 21-year old posted a .161/.212/.266 line with three home runs and seven RBI in 38 games with the Halos last summer.

Manager Joe Maddon has made it clear, Adell will likely start the upcoming season in the minor leagues to continue developing. I think it’s safe to say a fast start in spring training, or the minors could see Adell make his way back to the Angels MLB-roster, especially if the Halos need help in their corner outfield spots.

Like the Marsh trade, this scenario considers the Angels to receive a lesser-end to the deal. The simulator predicts an Adell (value-50.7) for Gray (value-29.7) to be ‘unaccepted’ due to the player-value projections. The Reds would likely have to throw in a lesser-regarded minor league or MLB player for this to go through.

Jo Adell carries a high value in a trade scenario for the Angels.

Considering Gray’s age (31) and career statistics, this is understandable. It’s not as if Gray has been dominant his entire career, and Adell is only 21-years old, and not far removed from being a top-5 MLB prospect.

The plethora of young outfielders gives the Angels options to use one in a trade they see fit. Whether or not the Halos feel Marsh or Adell is worth trading for a pitcher like Gray remains to be seen.

If the trade simulator value is accurate, the Angels might be able to pull-off this trade with lesser-regarded players.

So far, the straight-up trades I’ve suggested for Gray (value-29.7) consider the Angels to overpay in both scenarios. The simulator suggests a trade of Angels prospects Jordyn Adams (No.3), Jeremiah Jackson (No.4), and Kyren Paris (No.5) combine for a total trade value of 30.4 which would result in an ‘accepted’ deal.

It should be noted this is purely a scenario of what could work. There are no guarantees this needs to be the exact trade scenario to pull off a trade for Gray, but it gives an idea of the type of players that consider this to be a ‘fair’ trade.

Jordyn Adams, OF

Selected out of high school with the 17th overall pick in the 2018 draft, Adams, 21, is considered to have a long way to go in terms of defining his skills. The outfielder is considered to have impressive plate discipline with a high-walk rate and excellent pitch selection. Adams is also rated as having “top-of-the-scale” speed and is projected to make things happen on the base paths to go along with great defense. Adams slashed .257/.351./.369 with eight home runs and 36 RBI in 109 games combined in single-A and the Arizona Fall League in 2019.

More from LA Angels News

• New York Post columnist has LA Angels bringing veteran starter back to LA
• Dodgers make wild mistake signing failed LA Angels starter
• Why LA Angels’ Qualifying Offer to Raisel Iglesias could become historical
• Both Gold Glove finalists for LA Angels getting snubbed is a complete joke
• Marcus Stroman definitely appears to be interested in the LA Angels

Jeremiah Jackson, 2B/SS

Jackson was also drafted out of high school in the 2018 draft and was selected with the 52nd pick in the 2nd round. The infielder posted a .266/.333/.605 line with 23 home runs and 60 RBI through 65 games in the Pioneer League in 2019. Jackson has shown signs of being a run producer, but a strikeout rate is still something that needs work. Defensively, Jackson is considered a work in progress as well.

Kyren Paris, SS

Another high school product, Kyren Paris was selected in the 2nd round with the 55th pick in the 2019 draft. The 19-year old appeared in just three games in the Arizona Fall League, where he slashed .300/.462/.400 with two RBI in ten plate-appearances. Paris has a line-drive approach at the plate and is considered to have a “smooth” approach on both sides of the ball. The young shortstop figures to add physical strength, which will add to his above-average abilities in the infield.

The Angels have a number of prospects the Reds may consider in a trade for Sonny Gray.

At the moment, Cincinnatti only has one top-10 shortstop in their system in Jose Garcia (No.6). The 22-year old Garcia is currently listed on the active roster, and posted a .194/.206/.194 line in 24 games for the Reds last season.

The Reds have reportedly shown interest in former Angel Andrelton Simmons, so there is some desire to get another shortstop, though none of the prospects listed in this trade scenario will be MLB-ready for quite some time. It doesn’t appear Cincinnatti has plans to go for it all in 2021, so perhaps they might be willing to develop young infielders.

Want your voice heard? Join the Halo Hangout team!

Write for us!

Whether or not the Angels will trade for a starter at some point remains to be seen, but there are certainly options out there to consider. If they play their cards right, the Halos could set themselves to be a World Series contender in 2021 and beyond.