MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: 5 trades Twins should make

1. Trade for Sonny Gray

As of Thursday morning, Sonny Gray is still a member of the Oakland Athletics. However, the odds of Gray staying in green and gold into August are practically zero. Given the fact he won’t be eligible for free agency until 2020, and given his solid performance on the mound this season after a rough 2016, Gray is the biggest name still officially available on the trade market.

In 15 starts this season, Gray is 6-4 with a 3.66 ERA and 3.36 FIP. Gray allowed two earned runs on seven hits and two walks Wednesday night in a win over the Rays. The 27-year-old struck out six in 6.1 innings to earn his third straight victory.

Gray began the season on the disabled list, and struggled through his first 10 starts. Through June 20, he was 2-3 with a 4.84 ERA. Gray struck out 58 hitters in 57.2 innings and walked 21. Opponents hit .269/.331/.410. Gray has been outstanding since. Over his last five starts, Gray is 4-1 with a 1.62 ERA. He has struck out just 27 hitters in 33.1 innings, but walked only seven and held opponents to a .155/.203/.267 slash.

The timing of Gray’s turnaround couldn’t have been better for the A’s, who are apparently willing to part with the Vanderbilt product any day now. Every contender (and even a few non-contenders) would theoretically have an interest in the controllable righty, with the Cubs, Brewers and Astros among the teams most commonly mentioned.

Next: MLB Trade Deadline: 30 players most likely to move

Gray will be costly, but Minnesota has the prospects to get a deal done, particularly that group of talented Double-A pitchers. If the Twins hope to capitalize on their surprisingly competitive start this season, while also preparing for 2018 and beyond, the club should go hard after Gray.