Reds rumors: Cincinnati working hard to trade Sonny Gray

If the latest Reds rumors are true, Sonny Gray might not be in Cincinnati much longer.

The Cincinnati Reds budget may be in worst shape than we thought heading into the 2021 season. After non-tendering Curt Casali and Archie Bradley, the majority of fans thought the cost cutting was over, but if the latest Reds rumors are true, Cincinnati may be looking to ship Sonny Gray elsewhere this offseason.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Cincinnati Reds are working hard to trade right-handed starter Sonny Gray. Sherman also includes the Reds in the list of teams who are inquiring about starting pitching.

Essentially, with Gray owed $20M over the next two seasons, Cincinnati is looking to add a starter while also getting out from underneath Gray’s contract. These latest Reds are terribly disturbing to a fanbase who was hoping their starting rotation would be the team’s strength heading into next season.

While Trevor Bauer is surely off to greener pastures and a contract that the Reds cannot afford, Cincinnati will retain starters Luis Castillo and Tyler Mahle, both of whom are entering their first-year of arbitration eligibility. Wade Miley is also under contract for next year with a $1M buyout for the 2022 season.

If the Reds were to lose both Bauer and Gray this offseason, that would be devastating. Nick Krall has prioritized adding a shortstop and controllable bullpen arms this offseason. Apparently, adding an another starter while at the same time getting out from underneath Sonny Gray’s contract is also on the docket.

With no fans in the stands during the pandemic-shortened 60-game season, several teams have prioritized cost cutting this offseason. The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on teams’ revenues, and with fan attendance in 2021 still in question, clubs are looking to cut costs through trades.

These latest Reds rumors are sure to not sit well with the fanbase, but it may be the reality of where the franchise stands right now. After spending big last offseason, the Cincinnati Reds have over $100M in guaranteed contracts heading into next season. Trading Sonny Gray would help reduce payroll.