Reds rumors: Deep farm system makes Padres strong fit for Sonny Gray

The Padres’ farm system gives these Reds rumors creditability.

The Reds rumors surrounding starting pitcher Sonny Gray are heating up. Our friend, FanSided’s MLB insider, Robert Murray point to the San Diego Padres as a strong fit for Gray should the Cincinnati Reds decide to deal the two-time All-Star.

According to Murray, rival executives believe that the Padres are a strong fit for Sonny Gray’s services. With San Diego’s window of contention wide open with the likes of Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr., the Padres’ front office would surely like to capitalize on the opportunity to land a top-of-the rotation starter.

This need is magnified with the lack of elite-level arms on the open market, along with Mike Clevinger’s absence from the Friars next season. There’s also concern involving Dimelson Lament, who’s coming off an arm injury suffered last season prior to the Padres’ postseason.

The Padres are an interesting suitor for Sonny Gray in that Larry Rothschild is the team’s pitching coach. Gray revived his career in Cincinnati under Derek Johnson after two tumultuous seasons in New York with Rothschild as his pitching coach.

If you look at the current market for starting pitching, the Cincinnati Reds could get an amazing return if the front office decides to trade Gray. Heck, Anthony DeSclafani, coming off a horrendous performance in 2020, just landed a one-year/$6M contract with the San Francisco Giants.

The San Diego Padres have an extremely talented farm system. According to MLB.com, the Padres rank No. 2, just behind the Tampa Bay Rays. The Reds rank No. 24, though they’d clearly climb up the ladder if dealing Sonny Gray bought back some of San Diego’s top prospects. Keith Law of The Athletic ranks San Diego slightly lower at No. 5.

Several intriguing prospects such as pitchers Luis Patino and Ryan Weathers, and 2020 first-rounder Robert Hassell could pique Nick Krall’s interest. But Reds fans can forget the idea of landing Mackenzie Gore, as San Diego’s top-rated prospect would not be involved in trade talks.

The latest Reds rumors come with a caveat, as Robert Murray cites San Diego’s desire to reduce payroll heading into 2021. Though Gray’s contract (two-years/$20.2M) is extremely affordable, adding $10M to the Padres payroll next season appears to be something that GM A.J. Preller would prefer not to do.