Ex-Yankees Star Reportedly Could Be Traded; Reunion Makes Perfect Sense For New York

Should the Yankees consider a reunion in the starting rotation?

Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees have some holes on their roster that they will look to fill before the 2023 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline passes on August 1. 

New York at one point seemed poised to contend for a World Series title this season but injuries derailed the season. Although that is the case, the Yankees now are starting to get healthy and are still within range of an American League Wild Card spot.

 A big move or two ahead of the trade deadline certainly could help with that and one position of need is starting pitching. New York -- like most teams -- could use another arm and one player that reportedly could be available, according to The Athletic's Dan Hayes, and could make sense is Minnesota Twins pitcher Sonny Gray. 

"Beyond that, there’s very little chance the Twins bring both Gray and (Kenta Maeda) back next year, and they may not sign either pitcher," Hayes said. "The club is likely to extend a qualifying offer to Gray in hopes he’d either accept a one-year deal in the $20 million range, or they’d receive a draft pick if he signed elsewhere.

"But exploring what they could get is wise, especially with some of the hauls the Chicago White Sox received this week in trading away rental players. Contending teams in need of starting pitching are desperate with few certain sellers on the market, and the Twins could potentially receive more in a trade now if one of those clubs grossly overpaid."

Gray already has experience playing for the Yankees. The three-time All-Star was acquired by New York during the 2017 campaign and also spent the 2018 season with the Yankees before joining the Cincinnati Reds in 2019. The righty struggled in his lone full season in New York pitching to a 4.90 ERA in 2018, but could make perfect sense to bring him back to town. The 33-year-old earned an All-Star nod as a member of the Twins this season and has compiled a 3.22 ERA in 21 starts so far this season.

If the Yankees are looking to add pitching, a familiar option like Gray could make a whole lot of sense. New York already has Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon and adding Gray into the mix could take the rotation to the next level. New York will have to make a move quickly as the trade deadline is set to pass on August 1.