Reds rumors: A Cincinnati Reds trade for Sonny Gray is still on the table

The Christmas holiday is over and the Reds rumors are heating up again. The latest rumors revisit the potential of adding Sonny Gray to the Cincinnati Reds rotation.

As we head toward the end of December, the Reds rumors continue to swirl. The latest rumor has the New York Yankees looking to unload starting pitcher Sonny Gray. While that’s news isn’t new, we now have a better idea of the compensation the Yankees are looking for.

According to Jon Hayman of Fancred Sports, the Yankees have abandoned their desire for one of the Reds’ top-level prospects. However, New York is interested in some of Reds pitchers who’s talent level might be considered on that next tier.

According to the report, the Yankees are looking for that ‘next level’ of prospect; not Nick Senzel, Taylor Trammell, Jonathan India, or Hunter Greene. The report also indicates the Yankees are looking for a pitcher, so that would put Jose Lopez, Tony Santillan, and Vladimir Gutierrez in New York’s crosshairs as a potential return for Gray’s services.

The pursuit of Sonny Gray is nothing new for Cincinnati. In fact, the Reds have been linked to Gray since New York essentially put him on the trade block to the highest bidder. The ties between Gray and the Reds new pitching coach Derek Johnson make the trade even more interesting, as the thought is that Johnson may be able to help resurrect the career of the former Vanderbilt Commodore.

Given all the trade talk and the proclamation from Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations Dick Williams that the team is not done fixing their roster gives a lot of credence to the recent Reds rumors involving Sonny Gray.

For what it’s worth, I’m not that high on Gray, especially since the Reds recently acquired Tanner Roark from the Washington Nationals. I see those two pitchers in the same light and as no more than a No. 3 starter at best. In saying that, if all it cost the Reds was the right-hander Lopez, who is currently Cincinnati’s No. 25 prospect, I could get behind that. Anything more seems like the Reds would be overspending for one year of Gray’s services.

While the recent Reds rumors are surrounding starting pitching, don’t be surprised if you see some more reports come out shortly dealing with the team’s pursuit of a centerfielder. The Cincinnati Reds are definitely not done improving this offseason, and that alone should make Reds Country smile.