The New York Yankees and the Oakland Athletics have had recent trade discussions, according to a report from Jon Morosi of MLB.com.
Oakland is a likely mass-seller approaching the trade deadline and the Yankees have been tied to both right-hander Sonny Gray and first baseman Yonder Alonso.
On Monday, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported that a top-level Athletics scout recently watched the Yankees’ Class A Charleston affiliate which is a strong indication that the two teams are negotiating of at least preparing to negotiate a deal.
With the loss of Michael Pineda and the struggles of Masahiro Tanaka, the Yankee starting rotation is in desperate need of a front-line starter.
Gray ,who isn’t eligible for free agency until after the 2019 season, is an appealing option likely to be in high demand. The 27-year old is 5-4 with a 3.72 ERA this season.
ESPN’s Buster Olney mentioned the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, and Yankees as teams interested in Gray.
The Yankees have a dire need a first base after the season-ending injury to Greg Bird, the Chris Carter “dud” and the overall lack of production from the first base position which posted a. .671 OPS this season ranking second worst in the the league entering Monday.
The Yanks have had 8 different players play the position this season.
The A’s Alonso, 30, is having a career year in Oakland posting a .924 OPS and smacking 21 home runs
The Yankees will be pressed to make a deal as their struggles leading up to the All-Star break have trickled over to July. New York has continued their sub .500 play and they’re run scoring has essentially flatlined in recent weeks.