Angels Rumors: Trade scenarios for Reds pitcher Sonny Gray

As the Angels continue their offseason search for an ace in the rotation, I’m becoming convinced the answer lies beyond free-agency. It’s slim pickings when it comes to finding a statistically dominant starting pitcher on the market. If the Halos are looking to add an impact arm, the team is better off making a trade now or later on this season at the deadline. One name that is worth considering is Reds starting pitcher Sonny Gray.

Our friends over at Blog Red Machine touched on this subject last month. It might require general manager Perry Minasian and the Angels to part ways with some promising young prospects, but it is worth considering if the Halos are in a ‘win-now’ mode.

Reds starting pitcher Sonny Gray is a player the Angels should consider trading for this offseason.

Gray’s career got off to a great start in Oakland during 2013, where the right-hander posted a sub-3 ERA in two of his first three major league seasons while earning an All-Star appearance in 2015.

Things took a turn for Gray the next season when his ERA ballooned over-5, and he was traded to the Yankees at the deadline in 2017. The inconsistency continued in the Bronx, which led to Gray’s relief appearances, followed by New York trading him to Cincinnati, where he regained his All-Star form in 2019.

Sonny Gray Last Five Seasons:

• 2016: (22 starts) (5-11, 5.69 ERA) 117.0 IP 1.496 WHIP
• 2017: (27 starts) (10-12, 3.55 ERA) 162.1 IP 1.207 WHIP
• 2018: (23 starts) (11-9, 4.90 ERA) 130.1 IP 1.496 WHIP
• 2019: (31 starts) (11-8, 2.87 ERA) 175.1 IP 1.084 WHIP (All-Star)
• 2020: (11 starts) (5-3, 3.70 ERA) 56.0 IP 1.214 WHIP

Gray, 31, has two-years, $20.34 million remaining on his current contract. This considerably low deal could drive up the asking price of the Reds between now and the end of next season.

The statistics and contract lead to the million-dollar question, is Gray worth parting ways with one or more top prospects?

The way I see it, it’s a gamble either way. There are no guarantees any top prospects pan out like an organization hopes, just like there’s a risk in hoping Gray can put the Angels over the top. If the Halos want to be competitive in 2021, I say roll the dice and make it happen.