Can Billy Beane Afford to Keep Sonny Gray?

The A’s are never afraid of making a deal if the price is right. With Sonny Gray showing improvement, the possibility of sending him out of the Bay Area only grows more likely.

The A’s (20-24) are definitely happy with Sonny Gray’s most recent start. The right-hander went six innings and picked up his first win since last year.

With his injury plagued 2016 season behind him, Gray is determined to find success this year with Oakland. His time in the bay area, however, may be coming to an end sooner rather than later.

For every step forward Gray takes, the A’s will be more inclined to trade him. The team will never admit to tanking during the season, but they are clearly not contenders in the division this year.

They have hovered around .500, but to expect much else from the team would be wishful thinking. Billy Beane & Co. will need to address the elephant in the room sooner or later.

They can’t keep treading the same line they’ve been on the last two seasons.

At some point they will need to decide what to do with guys like Gray. They can either offer him an extension or offer him up in a trade.

Dave Kaval has done his part in igniting the A’s fanbase about a new stadium, but Beane and David Forst have both failed to generate the same type of excitement as Kaval has.

Looking at Gray’s stats this year, he’ll likely need to continue this positive trend if the A’s wish to obtain any serious talent by the trade deadline.

Granted it’s still May, but the more Gray produces, the A’s will have great difficulty fighting off the urge to flip him for a few prospects.

Beane has never been one to pass up on a deal…

With Kaval planning to announce a new stadium site by the end of this year, Beane will need to form a plan of his own. Beane has stated repeatedly that a new stadium doesn’t mean much if the team playing inside of it isn’t very good.

Timing is key, then, for Beane.

Beane has been active in trying to replenish the team’s farm system in recent seasons, but he still has plenty of work to do. If Gray does return to form, Beane could easily ask for a plethora of talent in exchange for Gray.

But Beane cannot afford to wait for too long, either. If Gray fails to capture the same magic that made him an elite starter or succumbs to injury, the A’s asking price will tank along with any hope of trading him.

Beane also has the option of keeping Gray for the long haul. Keeping a fan favorite would likely send the message that the team’s focus and beliefs have shifted in a different direction.

Either way, Beane has an important decision to make.