Fansided

4 reasons Yankees trade for JA Happ won’t be their last move

By Rucker Haringey

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 30: Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees and general manager Brian Cashman look on during batting practice before the start of MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on March 30, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Aaron Boone;Brian Cashman
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 30: Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees and general manager Brian Cashman look on during batting practice before the start of MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on March 30, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Aaron Boone;Brian Cashman /
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NEW YORK, NY – JULY 21: Pitcher Sonny Gray #55 of the New York Yankees watches from the dugout steps after being removed from the game during the sixth inning of an interleague MLB baseball game against the New York Mets on July 21, 2018 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. Yankees won 7-6. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 21: Pitcher Sonny Gray #55 of the New York Yankees watches from the dugout steps after being removed from the game during the sixth inning of an interleague MLB baseball game against the New York Mets on July 21, 2018 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. Yankees won 7-6. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images) /

2. The Yankees still can’t trust Sonny Gray

Gray deserves a lot of credit for simplifying his approach over his last several starts. In particular, he’s looked much better his last two times out. That doesn’t mean Aaron Boone and Co. can completely trust the enigmatic right hander.

To put it in simpler terms, the Yankees would still love to find an upgrade over Gray for the starting rotation. In a perfect world, that would take the form of an ace to pitch alongside Luis Severino. That isn’t necessarily the requirement, though. A solid No. 2 or No. 3 starter would be enough to take Gray’s spot every five games.

At the moment, the price for acquiring a stud starter is too high for the Yankees to pay. It’s unclear whether or not a legitimate No. 1 starter is out on the market. Some executives believe Jacob deGrom may ultimately be moved, but the disarray in the Mets’ front office makes that entire situation very uncertain.

It is, however, possible that a big-name pitcher shakes loose in the next couple of days. If that happens, look for the Yankees to pounce on the opportunity. It could be the difference between bowing out in a one-game Wild Card playoff and winning a World Series. That’s how high the stakes are for the Yankees at the moment.

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