Should the Texas Rangers Trade For Sonny Gray?

Trade rumors have been flying throughout the league as mid-season rolls around. One of the biggest rumors is where will Sonny Gray end up? Do the Rangers have a shot at landing the young starter?

Yes, the Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers are division rivals. That does not mean the two organizations can’t help each other out and agree on a deal. The A’s have been actively shopping starter Sonny Gray all season, and he might find himself in Arlington before 2018.

The Rangers don’t have too many reliable starters locked up. Ace Yu Darvish is eligible for free agency after the 2017 season. Lefty Cole Hamels is signed through 2018, and Tyson Ross is on a one-year deal.

Adding Sonny Gray could help soften the blow if Darvish decides to leave this off-season. The Rangers would have Gray through the 2020 season, and could build a younger rotation around him.

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This season Gray is 2-3 with a 4.84 ERA in 10 starts with 58 strikeouts. Not horrible numbers from the 27-year-old, and the A’s demands for Gray aren’t unreasonable. It’s been rumored the A’s are asking for a No. 5 prospect and a No. 15 prospect in exchange for Gray.

The Rangers farm system is not stacked so losing a No. 5 &15 for a potential ace is not a bad move. Having Darvish, Hamels, Ross, and Gray in a possible rotation together is a beautiful picture.

The value continues to go down for Gray, but he’s not a bust. Through five MLB seasons Gray has a 3.54 career ERA in over 100 starts. A change of scenery could be good for Gray, and having him land in Arlington would be great for the Rangers.