MLB Trade Deadline: 15 biggest names on the market

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Jun 21, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) delivers a pitch in the sixth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at the Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Sonny Gray, SP, Oakland Athletics

Gray was the subject of quite a few trade rumors over the offseason, and is now even more likely to be dealt with Oakland way out of contention. If Gray can string together some successful starts prior to the deadline, he will become easily the top target for teams in need of pitching help.

The 26-year-old has been largely excellent since debuting with the Athletics in July of 2013, posting a career 3.18 ERA (3.52 FIP) and a combined 427 innings pitched between 2014 and 2015 according to FanGraphs. Gray is under contract through 2019 and would make a valuable addition to any rotation across baseball.

Unfortunately for the Athletics, Gray hurt his value at the worst possible time, as he’s in the middle of easily the worst season of his career. Gray has a 5.20 ERA (4.64 FIP) through 13 starts, and recently spent 15 days on the disabled list with a strained trapezius.

The good news is that Gray has been strong in three out of his four outings since returning from injury, including his best start of the season last Tuesday against the Brewers. Gray is much better than he showed early in the season, and teams will only need to see a few more solid starts to be convinced any injury is behind him.

Given the market for starting pitching over the next year, Gray would net a massive return to assist Oakland in what’s looking like a long rebuild. The Red Sox, in need of another front line starter, might be the most willing club to give up the required young talent to land Gray.

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