Red Sox should cash in on Sonny Gray’s dominant season with blockbuster trade deadline move

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With the Boston Red Sox losing a series to the Colorado Rockies that they expected to sweep, it might be time to push the big red button and be sellers at the deadline. They have a few stars that they should try to keep, but they also have a few that could net them a lot of assets.

As for the asset that sits at the top of the list, that would be Boston’s sole righty in their starting rotation, Sonny Gray. The three-time All-Star is having his best season in years, and could net the Sox a good return.

Gray is on fire

Right now, Gray is arguably the best pitcher in the Red Sox’s starting rotation. So far this season, he’s posted a 9-1 record, a 2.95 ERA, 66 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.192 over 76 innings pitched. If he were a qualified pitcher, he’d be top five in the American League for starting pitcher ERA.

In his age 36 season and 14th year in the MLB, Gray is pushing for a fourth All-Star appearance. With that in mind, any team would love to have him, especially a contender.

Multiple suitors would love to have him

There are quite a few contenders out there with a banged up starting rotation that could use a guy like Gray to be their ace or No. 2. First on the list would be the Atlanta Braves, the leader in the NL East, and one of the best teams in the MLB. Aside from Chris Sale, they don’t have any real stars in their rotation; Gray could fix that.

Another team would be the Chicago Cubs, who are down to two normal starting pitchers at the moment. Gray would give them a leader to hold the line, and power up their rotation. Finally, a team like the San Diego Padres would also be interested, as their problem is a combination of the two teams already mentioned.

The return would be big

Gray would be a rental if he and his new team don't pick up the mutual option, so it would limit what Boston would get. However, it would still be a haul; they could ask for a right-handed slugger under contract, or go with a boatload of prospects.

Either way, it could be a great move by the Red Sox, if they handle it correctly. Knowing current management, however, that may be hard to do.

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