Gray for Ventura keeper trade?

[SlideRule]

Pondering a hypothetical trade in a 10-team AL keeper:

$5 Sonny Gray (last year)
vs.
$7 Yordano Ventura (can keep next year too)

Which side do you like? Assume I'm playing to win this year, but keepers have value as trade bait mid-season, too.

[Gregg]

I prefer Gray.

Yep, me too.

[virgonomic]

Gray.

[GwynnInTheHall]

Gray vs Smyly?

[Sour Masher]

I like Gray better too, but I am surprised no one is swayed by the extra year of Ventura like they were in the Goldy/Puig thread. That does add a dimension to the decision, because you might be able to get a better high priced or expring pitcher from a dumper for Ventura later in the season.

[chancellor]

I just don't see the value vs. risk for Ventura paying off well - he's still not a finished product, young pitcher injury risk, and isn't near as valuable as Gray right now. Gray at $5, even just for this year, is about as close to pitcher gold as you'll find. And with just a little control improvement, Gray moves from "very good" to "wow!!"

[SlideRule]

I like Gray better too, but I do think he is not without regression risk. Got a lot of calls strikes last year iirc, and some other indicators suggest a slight over performance last season. That said, he's proven his ability more than Yordano, for sure.

[Gregg]

Gray vs Smyly?

I like them both. Gray by a little bit.

[Fresno Bob]

how soon is now? I go with Gray