Jon Gray to the Yankees Rumors Back on the Front Burner

Colorado Rockies starter Jon Gray was a prime trade target for a number of teams around the league coming into June, before talks cooled down after he went on the injured list for three weeks with a flexor strain.

Friday night, Jon Gray was back—with a vengeance. The 29-year-old free-agent-to-be fired 5 shutout innings with 10 strikeouts and no walks against the Milwaukee Brewers just hours after being activated from the IL. And New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was no doubt back on the phone to Rockies interim GM Bill Schmidt.

"Shoot, it just felt powerful today," Jon Gray said. He pitched unlike he had all season. More velo, more life, more command.
— Nick Groke (@nickgroke) June 26, 2021

Gray's impending free agency makes him a prime candidate to be traded by the lowly Rockies; in fact he tops many observers' "most likely to be dealt" lists come the trade deadline July 30th. Former major league GM Jim Bowden says Gray "could end up being one of the best second-half pickups at the deadline."

The Yankees, of course, are in need of starting pitching (isn't everybody?). And Gray remains a prime target for pinstripes. He won't cost as much as any potential top-of-the-line starters such as Max Scherzer, and his numbers could vastly improve if he doesn't have to pitch half his games in the lofty air of Coors Field (not that Yankee Stadium is a picnic for pitchers, either, however).

#Yankees news: Britton leaves Friday’s game with hamstring injury; Trade target Jon Gray back from #Rockies injury; Gary Sánchez on a tear; HOPE Week plans; the problem with Yankees Pride https://t.co/5KoyciAFKP
— Pinstripe Alley (@pinstripealley) June 26, 2021