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Colorado Rockies right-hander Jon Gray is attracting some interest on the trade front, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network:
#Rockies RHP Jon Gray is among a select group of controllable @MLB starters who could be moved via trade this offseason, and his name is a popular one this week at GM Meetings. The #Padres have interest, although in-division deals often are difficult to complete. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 14, 2019
The 28-year-old was one of the lone bright spots in an otherwise lackluster Rockies rotation, going 11-8 with a 3.84 ERA in 25 starts last season.
Colorado is on the verge of setting a franchise record for payroll in 2020 due to the massive contract extension given toe Nolan Arenado last season, and they are looking for ways to free up some space and acquire future assets in the process.
As has been explored numerous times, multiple teams are in need of starting pitching this winter. That includes teams–like the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers–who may be priced out of signing even second-tier starting pitchers like Hyun-Jin Ryu and Madison Bumgarner.
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Gray has two more years of control (including 2020) before he becomes a free agent in 2022.
His peripherals suggest that he would benefit greatly from pitching outside of Coors Field, although he was actually more successful at home this year (3.46 ERA) than on the road (4.22 ERA).
Gray has the potential to be a strikeout pitcher with good velocity and a combination of breaking balls that dominated opposing hitters last season. He has routinely struggled with the fastball, but the ball moves differently outside of Colorado and he could find a way to be less flat with the four-seamer.
The Rockies need to slash some payroll as they prepare for Trevor Story's free agency in 2022, and Gray could satisfy the pitching needs of a number of clubs. Keep an eye out for Gray's name this winter.
