Chicago Cubs Rumors: If Sonny Gray goes to the Yankees, how are Cubs affected?

Rumors continue to link starter Sonny Gray to the New York Yankees. What would such a deal mean to the reigning World Champion Chicago Cubs?

In early July, the Chicago Cubs and Sonny Gray seemed like a perfect match. Billy Beane and Theo Epstein hooked up on deals in the past. Remember, the Addison Russell trade sent Jeff Samardzija to Oakland what seems like decades ago.

PLAY FANDUEL: New users win first contest or get credited up to $120!

But then, the Cubs went and shocked the baseball world, dealing their top two prospects to the crosstown White Sox in exchange for left-hander Jose Quintana. Once this deal came to fruition, the rotation took a big step forward on the North Side.

Just because Chicago seems to be out on Gray hardly means the rumors have stopped swirling around the A’s right-hander. The latest connect a resurgent New York Yankees ball club to Gray in a deal that could have wide-ranging implications for the North Siders.

Let’s take a closer look at this rumor and the impact it could have on the Cubs, their division and the rest of the National League.

A crushing blow to the Brew Crew?

Entering Wednesday night, Milwaukee starting pitching ranked fifth in the league in earned run average. Chicago followed close behind at sixth, but the two are separated by a wide margin (4.40 to 4.03).

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs should keep close eye on non-tender candidate Cody Bellinger
• Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
• Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
• Cubs are giving pitcher Javier Assad a deserved shot
• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups

But, after the Cubs added Quintana, things look different. Since the All-Star Break, the Chicago pitching staff owns a 3.36 ERA – and the starting staff has been even better. Jake Arrieta looks dominant, Jon Lester rebounded from a rocky first half and even John Lackey eats innings (and limits the long-ball).

With their division lead down to near-nothing, Milwaukee has to match the Cubs’ move. At least, you’d think so.

Gray and Milwaukee were connected earlier this month – and adding an ace to the mix may very well give the Brewers what they need to compete with the Cubs. The right-hander owns a 3.43 ERA in 16 starts for Oakland this year, as he’s rebounded from the worst year of his career last season.

If the Yankees indeed land Gray and Yonder Alonso, Milwaukee will have to turn their attention elsewhere.

Yankees looking to chase down BoSox

Entering play Thursday, the New York Yankees sit just one game behind the Boston Red Sox, despite struggling in the second half.

The exploits of Aaron Judge speak for themselves. He’s tied for the big-league lead in home runs. He won the All-Star Game Home Run Derby. He’s a legitimate MVP candidate in the American League. Last week, the club dealt for Todd Frazier to shore up third base. Adding a quality arm may be enough to push the team over the top.

Masahiro Tanaka has not been the same pitcher he has been earlier in his Yankees’ career. Michael Pineda is lost for the year due to Tommy John surgery. A starting pitcher would be a shot in the arm for Joe Girardi‘s club.

Sonny Gray, a controllable arm, represents the Yankees’ best chance at making another October run. The club has assembled a farm system full of chips to make deals such as this.

Throw in a Yonder Alonso to maybe pick up some slack at first base and the days of the heated Red Sox-Yankees rivalry may again be upon us.