Mariners Trade Rumors: Sonny forecast for Seattle?

The Mariners have recently been linked to the Oakland Athletics as a potential trade partner in a deal for pitcher Sonny Gray. If Seattle could complete this deal, they would fill a big hole in their rotation.

An unnamed source familiar with the Mariners thinking divulged that Jerry Dipoto could be looking to deal for the A’s pitcher. The Mariners currently need starting pitching, and Gray would be a big addition to the team on their quest for the postseason.

In 2017 Gray has posted a 1.7 WAR with an ERA of 3.66, over 91 innings, and a WHIP of 1.18. Those numbers seem pretty average, but he was injured to start the season, then took a little time to find his groove after returning.

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In his last 5 starts, his numbers have returned to his once all-star caliber. The A’s have won 4 of the 5 starts, and Gray himself has tossed 33.1 innings. Over that span, he tossed 27 strikeouts, walked just six, and only surrendered two homers. The craziest thing in that time is that Gray has posted an ERA of 1.62, a WHIP of 0.72, and has a BAA of .155.

Now I know I’ve just hit you with a lot of stats about Gray that may not mean a bunch, but he certainly has had a solid career, and the M’s are stretched thin on quality arms at the moment.

The other plus about Gray is that he is under team control for two seasons after 2017. This would mean that whatever the cost is to acquire him, Dipoto could likely justify it due to solidifying the rotation for now as well as the near future.

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While we can’t know exactly what the Mariners would have to send to Oakland to get Gray, we can look on their past two deals of the 2017 season and see that if Tyler O’Neill only brought Marco Gonzales, then we may be looking at giving up a hefty amount to acquire the Athletics’ stud pitcher.

So ultimately, if Dipoto really is looking at making a swap with the in-division Athletics, he’ll likely have to make a tough decision about cost v. return. One thing is for sure though, the Mariners need rotation help, and Gray will boost whichever team he join’s pitching staff.