Ken Rosenthal with a bit of speculation:
One possible delay in announcement of #Reds’ trade for #Yankees’ Sonny Gray, which @JonHeyman said yesterday was being finalized: The Reds might be trying to sign Gray to an extension as part of deal. Have not confirmed this is under discussion, but would make sense . . .
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 20, 2019
. . Gray potential FA at end of season, like other recent #Reds additions Wood, Roark, Puig, Kemp. Might be open to longer reunion with new Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson, his former pitching coach at Vanderbilt. Teams also could complete trade even if no extension is reached.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 20, 2019
There are a bunch of explanations for a short delay in announcing the trade. But this is one of them.
Update: Jon Heyman now says the Reds are indeed efforting.
Reds are trying to extend Sonny Gray now, before deal is finalized. Reds know it’s hard to get pitchers to come to Great America but believe Gray, with close connection to new pitching coach Derek Johnson from Vanderbilt, will be receptive. @Ken_Rosenthal mentioned possibility.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 20, 2019
More Heyman:
Reds, Yankees already have agreed on the package going for Gray, believed to include 2B prospect Shed Long and a sandwich pick. But it isn’t known how the package might be reconfigured on the chance Gray says no to the extension offer. Reds r likely confident he’ll say yes tho.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 20, 2019