Seattle Mariners: 2 trade ideas for Cincinnati Reds star Sonny Gray

“On the trade block” might be the wrong phrase to use, but the Cincinnati Reds have reportedly been at least gauging interest on the former All-Star right-handed starter Sonny Gray as well as other players in an effort to shed payroll. While I will assume that the Seattle Mariners are not one of the “several teams” that are interested in Gray, they should be.

Gray is signed to a team-friendly $32 million over the next three years including a team option as the final season of the deal. In his two years in Cincinnati Gray has been outstanding posting a 3.07 ERA in 231.1 innings. With his contract and being only 31, the Mariners should take advantage of their low payroll to acquire Gray and help the Reds cut their payroll.

To help in bringing the value of the Reds side of the trade down the Mariners could also take on the salary of Nick Castellanos. Castellanos is signed for $38 million guaranteed over the next three years and if he is included in any deal for Gray it will bring down the value of the Reds side of the trade.

The Mariners could be in a unique position with their current, and for the near future (due to prospects and young players being on small deals), low payroll. Castellanos, who is in his prime and has a career .796 OPS, can function as the Mariners’ 3rd outfielder this season, and in the future can be a he can be a DH, 4th outfielder, or replacement if Haniger is traded or cant return to his old form.

So now lets explore what a trade for Gray would look like if the Mariners were to do the unexpected and pursue a Gray for him with the Reds.

Seattle Mariners offer prospects with a rotation replacement

Admittedly this is a lowball offer but the Reds may consider it if the Mariners are the only team willing to offer some top prospects and take on Nick Castellanos‘ contract. Baseball trade values agrees that this is a lowball offer and says that it would not be accepted, but like I said if the Reds are really desperate to move Castellanos’ contract then the Mariners could get a steal.

The Reds don’t leave the trade empty-handed as they get young former Mets top pitching prospect Justin Dunn, Mariners top 10 outfield prospect Jake Fraley, and rising prospect Juan Then. One reason I like this trade for the Mariners is that I am not high on either Dunn or Fraley as I have said before in my recent blog, 5 prospects who could be traded this offseason, and you can learn more about them by clicking the link below.

However, Dunn and Fraley are still good prospects it’s just that they probably wont find their success in Seattle with a crowded potential future starting rotation and outfield. As for Juan Then, he is a prospect on the rise after coming over from the Yankees for Edwin Encarnacion and has climbed up the Mariners’ prospect rankings.

I like Then and his potential but we’re talking about Sonny Gray here, so I am more than willing to part with who MLB.com says is the Mariners’ 7th best pitching prospect.