New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman openly admitted at the conclusion of last season that the team intends to trade starting pitcher Sonny Gray, but it now sounds like there’s a legitimate chance the right-hander could still be in pinstripes on opening day.
The Yankees have had discussions about Gray with multiple teams, and Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported on Monday that the San Diego Padres remain interested. However, with CC Sabathia recently undergoing a heart procedure, the Yankees may need the starting rotation depth to begin the year.
Sources: #Padres remain interested in acquiring Sonny Gray, but #Yankees no longer certain to move him as long as uncertainty persists about CC Sabathia’s readiness for Spring Training. Padres have not made progress on a Kluber deal, so the wait continues. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 7, 2019
Sabathia is reportedly expected to be fine after undergoing an angioplasty, and there is optimism that he will be ready for spring training next month. If that’s the case, the Yankees may simply be trying to gain leverage in trade talks by making interested teams think they no longer want to move Gray this winter.
New York has engaged in talks with the Padres and at least one other team, and it seems unlikely that Sabathia’s health would convince them to keep Gray around given the way he has struggled with the Yankees. Cashman may have weakened his position too much by openly saying the team plans to trade Gray, and this could be his way of trying to compensate for that.
