Royals Rumors: Sonny Gray is an Option

The Kansas City Royals sent a scout to watch starting pitcher Sonny Gray’s last game. Gray pitched against the lowly Minnesota Twins and looked good. Unfortunately he’s struggled with health and consistency this season.

If the Royals rumors are correct that the Kansas City Royals scouts were they’re looking at starting pitcher Sonny Gray, this could mean good things for the team and the fans.

Gray’s been struggling this season. The Royals might be able to get him at a better price due to his struggles. The Athletics may hold firm at a step price believing his struggles were due to injuries alone and ask for a lot in return for the 26-year-old right hander.

If Gray is available, he could be the prize of any contending team looking for starting pitching. The Kansas City Royals fit the bill. Kansas City has one of the worst starting rotations in the major leagues coming in at 25th with a 5.02 earned run average this season, according to ESPN.

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Gray’s carrying a 5.16 earned run average (ERA) and a 4.50 fielding independent pitching (FIP) metric. He’s also given up more walks and home runs this season compared to his All-Star season last year.

He’s given up 0.8 more walks per nine (3.4) and 0.5 more home runs per nine (1.2) this season through 90 2/3 innings. His numbers may look worse this season due to a strained right trapezius muscle he sustained on May 21st causing him to spend time on the 15-day disabled list.

After coming off the disabled list, Gray pitched well against the Houston Astros on the road. He pitched five innings giving up one run off of five hits. He struck out five, walked one and gave up a solo home run.

Unfortunately he’s struggled duplicating good games. In six of his 16 starts, Gray has allowed four or more runs a game. Far from the numbers he put a season ago. His ERA last year finished at 2.73 just about 2.5 points lower than this season.

Athletics beat reporter, Susan Slusser said that teams sent scouts to watch Gray. These scouts include the Kansas City Royals. These kinds of Royals rumors are just what fans want to hear. The team is actively searching for help to bolster the weak starting rotation.

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Gray pitched six innings giving up one earned run against the Twins on Wednesday. He walked four and struck out five while allowing zero home runs.

If Gray can get closer to what he pitched like last season, the Kansas City Royals might have an ace in the rotation challenging Danny Duffy for the top spot. Gray would in turn help the Royals solidify the rotation.

Gray could be the answer the Kansas City Royals have been looking for. A young pitcher they can control until 2020 that doesn’t have a huge salary. In fact, Gray’s salary is only $527,500 this season. That’s extremely cheap for a possible front of the rotation type of pitcher.

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If the Royals are within striking distance of a playoff spot come late July, I think Dayton Moore will convince David Glass this year we can go for it all again. The Royals might not make it but it’s worth a shot. Especially for a non-rental player.