Report: Astros still in contact with Athletics about Gray
The Houston Astros are still looking for a pitcher to finish off their offseason shopping, and they may have eyes for one of their frequent opponents.
Houston has remained in contact with the Oakland Athletics about right-hander Sonny Gray, sources told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
Gray has been rumored to be on the block in Oakland for some time, but his market hasn't picked up despite the lack of starting pitching options on the open market. A report from Rosenthal in December suggested as much, and noted that the Vanderbilt product had generated little interest this winter.
Related - Report: Gray generating little trade interest
Gray is coming off the worst season of his four-year career, having stumbled to a 5.69 ERA and 94 strikeouts over just 22 starts in an injury-shortened 2016 campaign. But the 27-year-old is still just two years removed from his stellar 2015 season, which saw him post a 2.73 ERA and 169 strikeouts while finishing third in AL Cy Young voting, possibly making him an attractive option for teams hoping he'll bounce back. He's also under team control through the 2019 season, and will make just $3.575 million this year.
The Astros have been active this winter, and made a number of high-profile moves, but they're still in search of a front-end starter to complement former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel and the rest of their young rotation. They've been linked with the Chicago White Sox as a possible trade partner for Jose Quintana, and while the Astros apparently balked at Chicago's initial steep asking price, multiple reports in recent weeks have suggested they're still pursuing a trade for the southpaw.
Although the market may have thinned for Gray, at least one other team - the Atlanta Braves - was rumored to have checked in on him this winter.