Sonny in Atlanta? Braves scouting Yankees’ Gray before trade deadline

The Braves had scouts at Sonny Gray’s most recent start on Thursday night and have interest in the 28-year-old righty, according to a report from NJ.com.

The Braves had interest in Gray before the Yankees acquired him last summer. Gray owns a 4.55 ERA (4.54 FIP) across 31 starts since moving to New York, and it’s been reported that he may be available if the right deal comes along. It’s unclear just how motivated the Yankees are to move Gray, especially with the club falling behind the Red Sox in the AL East chase.

Gray tossed five scoreless innings against the Royals on Thursday night before exiting with a minor hand injury. He’s pitched better in his last three starts, surrendering just three runs (two earned) across 16 ¹⁄₃ innings. He is slated to start again on Monday night, if he isn’t moved before then.

Gray is owed under $3 million through the end of 2018 and will be in his final year of arbitration next season.

Count me in as someone who would be in favor of this. The Braves would be buying much lower on Gray than what the cost was last summer — the Yankees sent over three legitimate prospects and international slot money to Oakland — and he fits the budget.

It sounds like the asking price for Chris Archer remains sky-high, and it’s unclear if Marcus Stroman is available. Adding Gray would also alleviate some of the need to add a reliable starter this winter.

Three days to go until the deadline...