Boston Red Sox: Five Realistic Blockbuster Trade Targets
By Hal Bent
Sonny Gray, SP – Oakland A’s
Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
A final starting pitching target the Red Sox should be trying to trade for is Oakland A’s young ace Sonny Gray. Gray has won 14 games in each of the past two seasons and would be just 26 years old in 2016. Gray is one of the top pitchers in baseball and his talent, age, and contract make him a prime target for the Red Sox.
The A’s are rebuilding and need help all over the roster. General manager Billy Beane needs to rebuild the entire team and obtain as much talent as possible rather than muddling along as he has with Oakland the past few seasons. The roster lacks star power in the infield and outfield, has little power, and need to fill holes in the rotation and bullpen.
The only trade chip they have is Gray. While Gray is their only legitimate star, Oakland may be willing to let him go for a haul of prospects. Few teams can offer the depth of talent that the Red Sox can to entice the A’s. It is not going to come cheap for the Red Sox to acquire Gray as Beane is going to have to be overwhelmed.
No one knows what Beane is going to be looking for if he decides to deal Gray. Will he want a low-level prospect such as Manuel Margot along with a starting pitcher ready to contribute like Henry Owens? A catcher like Blake Swihart would probably be attractive the A’s as well. A Mookie Betts, Yoan Moncada, or Xander Bogaerts would probably be too enticing for Beane to pass up.
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