MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: 5 trades Cubs should make

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OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 30: Sonny Gray #54 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Atlanta Braves in the top of the first inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on June 30, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Sonny Gray, Jed Lowrie and Sean Doolittle, Oakland Athletics

One name that has been linked to the Cubs often this season is Oakland A’s starter Sonny Gray, a 27-year-old right-hander that has been on a roller coaster ride over the last three years. Gray was 33-20 with a 2.88 ERA in 76 games (74 starts) in his first three big leagues seasons from 2013-15, including a 2.73 ERA in 31 starts in 2015, when he was an All-Star and finished third in the AL Cy Young voting. Unfortunately, multiple injuries hampered Gray in 2016, and he finished 5-11 with a 5.69 ERA in 22 starts.

Gray missed the first month of the 2017 season with strained lat muscle, and has rebounded to post a 4.09 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 72.2 innings across 12 starts this year. His 3.48 FIP is right on par with his career average (3.60), suggesting Gray is pitching like his regular self this season. Gray won’t be a free agent until 2020, which makes him particularly valuable.

Though Gray is likely to command a talented prospect haul by himself, the Cubs could be willing to spring for a couple of his teammates as well. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle noted the Cubs were among several teams with scouts closely watching the A’s series in Houston last week, and listed Jed Lowrie as a potential trade target for Chicago. Lowrie, a switch hitter with a .284/.356/.481 slash and nine homers this year, would add infield depth at second and third base.

Finally, lefty reliever Sean Doolittle might be of interest to Chicago. Prior to back-to-back rough outings against the Braves June 30 and July 1, Doolittle had a 1.84 ERA with 22 strikeouts and just one walk in 14.2 innings in 16 appearances. He had allowed just six hits and held opponents to a .120 batting average through June 27.

Doolittle is particularly tough on lefties. In fact, left-handed hitters are 0-for-20 against him this season and have struck out 10 times. The 30-year-old has 36 career saves, including three this season, and would provide depth in the late innings for the Cubs.

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