MLB rumors: If Yankees dump Sonny Gray, 5 reasons Phillies should buy low

Sonny Gray’s days with the Yankees could be numbered. If he’s dumped on waivers, the Phillies should pounce.

Sonny Gray doesn’t seem long for New York.

One year after the Yankees traded a haul for the oft-injured, but effective righty, Gray is officially out of the rotation. While a bullpen stint is in order now, Gray’s future is likely out of the Bronx.

Cashman was forthright about Gray’s struggles on @TMKSonYES. It’s obvious Yankees are frustrated w/ Gray’s failure to be consistent. Cashman stressed how Yanks expected more because Gray has the pitches to succeed, but it hasn’t happened. Also mentioned the New York “environment”

— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) August 2, 2018

If the Yankees dump Gray on waivers or try to trade him this month, several teams will likely be interested in trying to revive a pitcher that owns a 3.70 ERA across 874 career innings.

Here are five reasons why the Phillies would be smart to place a claim on Gray if his contract is floated on the waiver wire this month.

Rotation depth: Thus far, the strength of the Phillies has been its rotation. But with three young starters (Nick Pivetta, Vince Velasquez, Zach Eflin) without anything close to 200-inning seasons in the bank, fatigue could become an issue down the stretch. The Phillies have rotation depth at Triple-A, but Gray comes with a track record that no other internal candidate can boast.

Team control: Gray is eligible for salary arbitration this winter, and remains under team control (wherever he plays) for the 2019 season. As the Phillies look for options on how to build the best team in 2019 and beyond, having Gray on the books for an extra year makes him more attractive.

If, say, a team wanted Pivetta or Eflin as part of a deal for a superstar bat, the presence of a legitimate major league arm could make it easier to pay that price.

Past interest: Philadelphia was rumored to have interest in Gray during the 2017 trade deadline. If this front office liked Gray’s stuff, makeup and contract then, it likely has similar feelings now.

Block him from other NL contenders: Both Milwaukee and Atlanta had reported interest in Gray before the July 31 trade deadline. Perhaps Atlanta, after acquiring Kevin Gausman, would be out on Gray now. But if the Phillies can stop a team like the Brewers from landing Gray, it could be a boon to the team’s postseason fortunes.

Trade deadline winners, losers

Rick Kranitz: One of most under-the-radar keys to this Phillies season has been pitching coach Rick Kranitz. From Pivetta’s improvement to Velasquez finding consistency to Eflin changing his approach, the team’s pitching has been the best version it can be in 2018.

There’s no guarantee that Kranitz could bring the best out in Gray, but it’s worth a shot on a guy that entered the season with a career ERA of 3.45 and FIP of 3.67. There’s talent there, and should certainly be manifesting itself in something better than a 5.56 ERA for the Yankees.

Joe Giglio may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.