Sonny Gray Trade Rumors: Yankees, A's Reportedly Far Apart on Deal

The Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees remain in negotiations about a possible trade involving starting pitcher Sonny Gray, FanRag Sports' Jon Heyman reported Thursday. 

According to Heyman, the A's have informed the Yankees what it will take to complete the deal, with nothing imminent between the two teams.

Heyman also reported the Houston Astros' interest in Gray may be cooling, with the team shifting its focus to other trade targets. MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported earlier on Thursday the Astros prefer trading for a package that includes Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander and reliever Justin Wilson.

With Jose Quintana now a member of the Chicago Cubs, Gray is arguably the most attractive starting pitcher on the trade market. He's 6-4 with a 3.66 ERA in 15 starts this year, and most importantly, he's under team control for two more years.

Those two factors give Oakland a lot of leverage in trade negotiations.

After the Yankees just pulled off a trade for Todd Frazier, Tommy Kahnle and David Robertson, general manager Brian Cashman may hesitate to execute another deal that will almost assuredly mean parting ways with promising young minor league stars.

The cost to acquire Frazier, Kahnle and Robertson included outfielder Blake Rutherford, whom Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter ranked as the third-best prospect in the Yankees' farm system. In order to add Gray to their rotation, New York would have to deplete even further what is one of the deepest minor league organizations in MLB.