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Report: Yankees, Reds finalizing Sonny Gray trade

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The New York Yankees are finalizing a trade that would send right-hander Sonny Gray to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for prospect Shed Long and a draft pick, according to Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports.

A third, lesser piece could be heading to New York as well.

If Cincinnati does indeed acquire Gray, he'll be reunited with Derek Johnson. Johnson was Gray's pitching coach at Vanderbilt University, and he accepted the same position with the Reds in November.

Gray has been on the trade block for the majority of the offseason after Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said in October he would be open-minded about moving the one-time All-Star. The Yankees reportedly had interest from up to 11 teams.

"Ultimately, you want to play somewhere where you're wanted," Gray told Mike Organ of The Tennessean on Thursday.

The 29-year-old struggled in 2018 while recording a 4.90 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 130 1/3 innings. However, his numbers were far worse at home in hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium.

2018 Stats

SPLIT IP ERA HR WHIP SO
Home 59.1 6.98 11 1.90 45
Away 71 3.17 3 1.16 78

Before landing in New York following a 2017 trade, Gray owned a 44-36 record with a 3.42 ERA and 3.56 FIP during his time with the Oakland Athletics. He finished third in Cy Young voting in 2015.

Gray could become the third starting pitcher the Reds have acquired this offseason, joining Alex Wood and Tanner Roark, who were added in separate trades.

Long, meanwhile, was the No. 7 prospect in the Reds' system, according to MLB Pipeline. The 23-year-old second baseman was a 12th-round draft selection in 2013.

At Double-A Pensacola last year, Long appeared in 126 games, hitting .261/.353/.412 with 12 homers, 22 doubles, 56 RBIs, and 19 steals.

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