It now seems likely that the Athletics will end up moving Sonny Gray this summer, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle writes. There’s likely to be plenty of interest in the righty, who is showing improved form after a forgettable 2016 season; indeed, he just placed fourth on MLBTR’s list of the top 50 trade candidates. The full scope of potential suitors isn’t yet known, but Slusser does provide some interesting observations. The Astros, she notes, are “one of the more realistic landing spots” for Gray, with clear interest on Houston’s part and a history of swaps between the division rivals. (A prior report of that possible connection arose over the weekend.) There’s even an unnamed NL club that, per Slusser, “has toyed with the idea of using Gray as a closer.” (If you’re wondering what team that might be, Dave Cameron of Fangraphs takes a shot at a guess.)
More out of Oakland…
- Injured shortstop Marcus Semien will embark on a rehab assignment this weekend, writes John Hickey of the San Jose Mercury News, though it’s not likely to be a quick assignment. “It’s going to look maybe a little like spring training,” said manager Bob Melvin. Semien will start off by playing five innings per game and gradually build up to playing full games, per Hickey. I’d imagine that the impending return of Semien will only further trade chatter surrounding Jed Lowrie, as there have already been rumblings that he could be moved to pave way for infield prospect Franklin Barreto.
- Athletics president Dave Kaval stated yesterday that the A’s will announce the site of a new stadium with the calendar year, as Joe Stiglich of CSN Bay Area writes. The three locations in consideration are a waterfront venue near Howard Terminal, a neighborhood park next to Laney College or a newer facility at the current site of the Coliseum. “Obviously we’re working as quickly as we can to make the announcement as soon as possible,” said Kaval. “At that time, we’ll not only let folks know what the final location is, but also the timeline to actually develop the ballpark, all the different approval processes and also the groundbreaking and the opening date.”
Cameron dismisses st Louis for Gray, but I think it makes sense.
they’re hitting better as of late after much tinkering with the lineup. They average 6 runs a game since carpenter is back in the leadoff spot. will they keep that pace? doubt it, but we shall see.
they’re glaring hole is middle relief. they’re losing too many leads in the 7th or later. Slot gray in the 9th and you bump Oh and Rosie back into the 8th and 7th.
they’ll never win the wild card this year, but the division is terrible and certainly winnable. the DeWitts don’t sell at the deadline.
Did you just suggest trading for Gray to make him a closer?
did you even read the article?
Did you read the article?
Carson Kelly & Randal Grichuk for Sonny Gray, Khris Davis & Ryan Madson – STL gets to the playoffs by adding those 3, A’s get a C and CF to fill those vacancies they currently have AAAA scrubs playing at.
I would love to see that. No chance the A’s make that trade.
so replace their own “AAAA scrub” in CF for StL’s own AAAA scrub in Grichuk?
Don’t be surprised if LA makes a strong push.
The Dodgers offer Alex Verdugo, Yusniel Diaz, and Mitchel White for Gray..!!!
I wouldn’t count out the Cubs as a destination for Gray. It looks like this is the season when John Lackey is clearly running on fumes, and CHC needs another top of rotation arm to compensate for Lackey’s clunkers and Arrieta’s uneven results.
I wasn’t aware that there is funding for an Oakland Stadium. Did California suddenly change their stance on public funding?
The A’s are privately financing their new stadium
The stance on public funding of stadiums is clearly not a statewide thing — e.g. Levi’s Stadium. Not sure how much public money is going into the Rams / Chargers facility in Inglewood.
Astros’ prospects – that is right, prospects – Tucker, Paulino and Fisher for A’s Gray. Seems appropriate…
You are insane think that… seriously lay off the grass.
You would be lucky to get a top 10 prospect at all with the way he is pitching much less 3.
his offer was to much but what you said is even worse he will get top ten guys or the As will hold him
Gray is a top 20 SP this season if you go by FIP and xFIP (min 50 IP). Put an even remotely average defense behind him and watch him shine. If he was on the Cubs his ERA would be 2.00.
Don’t be surprised if the brewers are players. Surplus of prospects for top of the rotation pitching they don’t have.
I read the FanGraphs theory.
The ONLY team in the NL that makes sense doing this is LA.
With the possibility of Kershaw walking on an opt out, Gray would be additional insurance to move him up into a Starting role to replace a Clayton void.
Gray, like Urias, gets pitch count protection until CK makes his decision.
And we can afford to do this!
Cubs have so many prospects to trade and could use Gray. Maybe Happ and a low level prospect for him?
No thanks. Better pitchers with stronger track records that Happ could bring back.
Gray could represent one of the top arms on the market this summer. I’m curious as to what better pitchers with longer track records do you see Happ bringing back? Unless you mean using Happ as 1 of the co-headliners for a larger piece.
Actually, the Cubs don’t have that many prospects to trade anymore. I say this as a Cubs guy.
Eloy is at the top. Happ is needed in Chicago.
The only other particularly valid arms they have are Cease/Clifton/Hatch/Alzolay.
They might trade for Gray, but their pipeline is running out if they swap too many more times.
Probably Milwaukee they need a better bullpen
I wonder if they would trade Gray in division to Seattle, they could use him as a starter and I guess a reliever if that’s what he’s becoming. Ether way Seattle will need to get reliever at the deadline, and another starter would be nice.
Future Nationals closer
Gray makes some sense for Arizona, as mentioned in the article. He could be used as an Andrew Miller type reliever for this season and if he turns it around, he could be used as a starter next season, allowing them to at least look into trading Corbin and maybe even Greinke. The big question is whether the DBacks have enough prospects to tempt the A’s enough into making that deal.
I would be so pissed if they made that deal.
The A’s need to leave the state. The taxes are deadly to any business. They should look at Las Vegas or somewhere else.
Oakland is the trashiest city in the league. Many times going down Seminary Road on the way to the stadium, I thought I was taking chances with my life.
Even taking B.A.R.T. was iffy in that area!