The Phillies are pivoting to other starting pitching targets after missing out on Pirates starter Tyler Anderson. According to Jon Morosi of MLB.com, the Rockies are talking with the Phillies, Giants, and Padres about a potential trade for right-handed starter Jon Gray.
Morosi stresses that a deal isn’t close and that Gray’s market will have more clarity once Nationals ace Max Scherzer is dealt. Scherzer reportedly prefers to be traded to a west coast team, so it’s possible that both the Giants and Padres see Gray as a Plan B if they don’t land Scherzer.
Gray, 29, has a 3.67 ERA in 18 starts with the Rockies this season. He has pitched well as of late as his ERA since June 25 is down to 2.57. Gray has thrown at least five innings in 16 of his 18 starts. His 9.7% walk rate is the ninth highest among pitchers who have thrown at least 90 innings this season.
The home and road splits for Gray in his career are interesting. His ERA on the road (4.52) is slightly higher than at home (4.44).
Judging by the previous outings from Matt Moore and Vince Velasquez, the Phillies desperately need an innings eater to slot behind Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola and Zach Eflin once he makes his return. Phillies starters have a 5.58 ERA in the month of July, which ranks 22nd in MLB.
Gray is scheduled to become a free agent after this season and with the Rockies 19.5 games out of first place in the NL West, a trade involving Gray seems more likely than not. His next turn around in the Rockies rotation is scheduled for the day of the deadline, July 30 against the Padres. Maybe he switches dugouts and starts for San Diego. Maybe he is on a cross-country flight to Pittsburgh trying to meet the Phillies for a series against their cross-state rivals.
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