The Case for Sonny Gray

[rico43]

Doing one of these for each of the pitchers "out there" that the Braves have been rumored to have shown interest.

Bleacher Report, from Oct. 11th:

Top 5 Oakland needs:
1) A leadoff hitter
2) A center fielder
3) More Innings from starters
4) Defense, lots of it
5) Healthy depth

The Braves can answer 1,2 and 4 with Mallex Smith and 3 could be Wisler. Add a rising starter (Sims, Weigel) and a deep system youngster and it seems doable.

Gray has three controllable years and his injuries of 2016 were largely muscular and healed.

Move (Jace) Peterson into the 4th outfielder role and open up second base for Albies.

Rotation: Teheran, Gray, Colon, Dickey, Collmenter/Blair.
Downside: Gray is another Vanderbilt pitcher and the Braves have had horrible luck with them

 

[Burnedstang]

are you kicking Folty out of the rotation?

 

[zbhargrove]

I am just not sold on Gray and never have been. Never been a strikeout pitcher and his ERA has always been quite a bit lower than his FIP and xFIP. I don't think he's that good

 

[mqt]

I am just not sold on Gray and never have been. Never been a strikeout pitcher and his ERA has always been quite a bit lower than his FIP and xFIP. I don't think he's that good

Why settle for one Julion when you can have two?!

 

[zbhargrove]

Why settle for one Julion when you can have two?!

Actually Gray reminds me very much of Julion! Except Julion has better strikeout stuff. If we trade for someone, let's get a shut down strikeout ace.

 

[GovClintonTyree]

Actually Gray reminds me very much of Julion! Except Julion has better strikeout stuff. If we trade for someone, let's get a shut down strikeout ace.

Yeah. A tall, thin 3/4 lefty with filthy stuff and a nasty attitude.

 

[rico43]

are you kicking Folty out of the rotation?

He's in the Sale trade! (joking, sort of)

 

[Chico]

I think we line up with the A's on a few fronts. I think Gray could be a good get. I also like the idea of taking Led Lowrie back. He's owed 6.5M in 2017 with an option in 18 or 1M buyout. They have a glut of infield prospects and he can fill that super utility role. I also like Doolittle on that contract to add that late inning lefty to the pen. Marcus Semien is another guy that could be interesting. They're finding out his defense won't play at SS, but they have other 3B prospects ready. His power could play well at 3B.

They would definitely be interested in Mallex. The A's business model makes them somewhat reliant on buy low guys and they need major league ready prospects in return. We have a couple in Blair and Wisler that would be of interest to them as they're looking to rebuild their rotation (again) around guys like Manaea and Cotton.

 

[thewupk]

Actually Gray reminds me very much of Julion! Except Julion has better strikeout stuff. If we trade for someone, let's get a shut down strikeout ace.

Julio's K/9 is slightly better. The main differences between the two is that Julio usually walks fewer people whereas Gray usually gives up fewer homers. Both are good pitchers. And the main reason you would target Gray over any of the others mentioned is that it shouldn't take as much talent.

 

[smootness]

A package of Wisler, Mallex, Weigel, and someone like Muller is both a) probably not enough to get Gray, and b) perhaps an overpay for him.

He's a guy whose trade value, IMO, is much higher than his actual value. I think the A's will want a ton, and I don't think he's worth it.

 

[zbhargrove]

Julio's K/9 is slightly better. The main differences between the two is that Julio usually walks fewer people whereas Gray usually gives up fewer homers. Both are good pitchers. And the main reason you would target Gray over any of the others mentioned is that it shouldn't take as much talent.

I understand that but if our aim is to acquire a full shut down ace... Gray isn't the answer

 

[striker42]

I understand that but if our aim is to acquire a full shut down ace... Gray isn't the answer

True, but I think our aim is having a stable, steady rotation that can churn through the season.

 

[jcc03004]

Still would rather trade for Archer

Yeah. A tall, thin 3/4 lefty with filthy stuff and a nasty attitude.

 

[thewupk]

I understand that but if our aim is to acquire a full shut down ace... Gray isn't the answer

No he's not. But he is likely part of the answer of having a good rotation going forward. Dickey and Colon are only here for 2017 and then we are back to only having Julio and hoping some young kids step up.

 

[thewupk]

A package of Wisler, Mallex, Weigel, and someone like Muller is both a) probably not enough to get Gray, and b) perhaps an overpay for him.

He's a guy whose trade value, IMO, is much higher than his actual value. I think the A's will want a ton, and I don't think he's worth it.

Something to keep in mind for those wanting to trade Julio. This is basically the A's version of him.

 

[smootness]

Something to keep in mind for those wanting to trade Julio. This is basically the A's version of him.

Well, using the same logic, you could argue then that trading Teheran is the right move. But I actually think Julio's trade value is less than his actual value to a team. I think the A's should be looking to trade Gray; I think we should hang onto Teheran.

 

[thewupk]

Well, using the same logic, you could argue then that trading Teheran is the right move. But I actually think Julio's trade value is less than his actual value to a team. I think the A's should be looking to trade Gray; I think we should hang onto Teheran.

Depends on the needs of the team. But if the Braves could trade Julio as an ace that they have positioned him as then they should do that. But I doubt anybody gives up an ace return for him. With that being said I would always be looking because you never know when a Miller type trade comes a long.

 

[Russ2dollas]

If Sale costs Albies, Newcombe plus and Gray costs Mallex, Wisler, Weigel then I'm rolling the dice on Gray.

I expect Gray's HR numbers are held down some by his park.

I think if you can get Gray and not have to go into any top 10 prospects then you get it done.

 

[Dalyn]

I've watched Gray a lot. He's my favorite current pitcher. Would love to have him on the team.

 

[clvclv]

Doing one of these for each of the pitchers "out there" that the Braves have been rumored to have shown interest.

Bleacher Report, from Oct. 11th:

Top 5 Oakland needs:
1) A leadoff hitter
2) A center fielder
3) More Innings from starters
4) Defense, lots of it
5) Healthy depth

The Braves can answer 1,2 and 4 with Mallex Smith and 3 could be Wisler. Add a rising starter (Sims, Weigel) and a deep system youngster and it seems doable.

Gray has three controllable years and his injuries of 2016 were largely muscular and healed.

Move (Jace) Peterson into the 4th outfielder role and open up second base for Albies.

Rotation: Teheran, Gray, Colon, Dickey, Collmenter/Blair.
Downside: Gray is another Vanderbilt pitcher and the Braves have had horrible luck with them

JMO, but that's far too light a package even in light of Gray's terrible year.

Sale, Archer, Quintana, and Gray have far more value than that. Each are likely going to require 2-3 Top 10 prospects, and Sale will require at least 3.

An important thing to remember with these guys - none of them HAVE TO be dealt. They're all under control for 3 or more years, so their current teams have plenty of time for them to have a hot stretch and drive their values even higher.