Report: Reds finalizing trade for Sonny Gray

The Cincinnati Reds are working hard to beef up their roster for the upcoming season.

The Reds are finalizing a trade with the New York Yankees for starting pitcher Sonny Gray, according to a report. FanCred’s Jon Heyman says Cincinnati is trading prospect Shed Long and a draft pick to the Yankees as part of the deal.

Yankees, Reds are finalizing the Sonny Gray trade. infield prospect Shed Long and a draft pick are expected to go to NY, and possibly a 3rd lesser piece. Long is an excellent hitter, fair defender. Just need to cross t’s, dot i’s (ie medicals, 40-man considerations, etc.)

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 20, 2019

Long is a 22-year-old second baseman who spent last season at Double-A, batting .261/.353/.412 with 123 strikeouts in 126 games. The pick in the deal could be the No. 36 overall selection, which is fairly high.

That wouldn’t be a bad haul for the Yankees, who wanted to get rid of the underperforming Gray.

The Reds will now have acquired Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Alex Wood, Tanner Roark and Gray this offseason. They should be much more competitive this year following a lowly 67-95 season.