Reds rumors: Cincinnati could be buyers at this years trade deadline. What's a dream trade, a realistic trade, and a trade to avoid at the deadline?
The Cincinnati Reds have been the talk of baseball over the last few weeks. They have some of the most exciting rookies in baseball that have completely shifted the culture and energy in Cincinnati.
The arrival of Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Andrew Abbott among others has the Reds holding the name "America's team" whether it be with sarcasm or not. The young team is having fun and they are winning games. Not only are they closing in on being a .500 team, but they are within 2 games of first place in the NL Central.
The players on the field are doing everything they can to push for the playoffs. When the trade deadline arrives, the front office will have the opportunity to match the players energy by entering "buy mode" and making the acquisitions necessary to win down the stretch.
Reds rumors: Dylan Cease would be a dream trade target for the Reds
To say this is a bit of a stretch is an overstatement. This trade will likely live in Reds fans dreams more than it would ever be a possibility. This trade makes sense to fit Cincy's needs for this season as well as for the future.
The Reds don't have a true ace in their rotation. Hunter Greene and Andrew Abbott have flashed top of the rotation potential this year. Graham Ashcraft showed potential as an MLB starter last year but has regressed to a "2 pitch" pitcher, resulting in serious struggles this season. Nick Lodolo has shown top of the rotation potential as well but hasn't been able to pitch healthy for most of the season, currently on the IL. Other starters like Ben Lively, Brandon Williamson, Luke Weaver and Levi Stoudt haven't showed consistent potential. With their top prospects Chase Petty and Connor Phillips yet to reach Triple-A, the team will need an option in the rotation.
Enter Dylan Cease. Now, there are a lot of roadblocks between where we stand today and this trade happening. The White Sox would need to blow up their roster in order for him to really be made available. If the White Sox were to do that, the Reds front office would also need to enter uncharted territory. Not only has this current Reds front office never really bought at the deadline, to acquire Cease, they would need to go all-in. A package around top prospects like Edwin Arroyo, Rece Hinds, and a starting pitcher like Williamson or Stoudt could spark the White Sox to pick up the phone.
Although this isn't likely, a Reds fan can dream, right?
Reds rumors: A reunion with Aroldis Chapman would make sense for both parties
Reds fans appear split on this trade, based on the way that closer Aroldis Chapman parted from Cincinnati almost ten years ago. There doesn't appear to be any bad blood from the former Red as he was quoted saying "it would be awesome to play my last year or two years with my first team."
With Chapman not just open to a return, but seemingly eager to play in Cincinnati again, the front office should jump all over this. Cincy features just one left-handed pitching option in their MLB and Triple-A bullpens combined. To make matters worse, this option, Alex Young, fares much better against right-handed hitters than left. Chapman could begin to solve those problems, as well as being a flamethrowing option to pair with the crafty relievers they feature now.
Chapman is in the midst of one of his hardest throwing seasons in recent memory. His sinker is currently averaging nearly 102 MPH according to baseball savant. That grades out as one of the hardest pitches in baseball. On the positive side for the Reds, Chapman wouldn't be very expensive. He's a relief pitcher in his mid 30's that is only signed through the end of the season. It likely wouldn't cost a top 30 prospect in the Reds organization to net the elite lefty.
Picture this, Cincinnati baseball fans: Lucas Sims locks down 7th innings, followed by Chapman in the 8th and Alexis Diaz in to close it out in the 9th. That is a backend of the bullpen than can carry a team in October.
Reds rumors: Reds should avoid any deal that would cost top prospect Noelvi Marte
This trade idea has less to do with a trade target for the Reds and more to do with a player they should completely avoid dealing, no matter what. Cincinnati acquired top-100 shortstop prospect, Noelvi Marte from the Mariners in a blockbuster trade package that sent Reds ace Luis Castillo to Seattle. The organization paid a steep price for Marte and he hasn't disappointed.
Marte is a multiple time Southern League Player of the Week, sporting nearly a .300 batting average in the pitcher friendly Double-A League. He is a consensus top-100 prospect that has been ranked as high as the top 10. The 21-year-old has shown versatility in the infield, with a rumored move to the outfield being discussed depending on when he's expected to arrive in the MLB.
The front office paid a great price to acquire Marte, costing them a controllable ace in his prime. They likely won't receive anything of such valuable for him now. When any General Manager picks up the phone and dials the Reds, the first prospect they will ask about is Noelvi Marte. The front office needs to be adamant that Marte is a Red, no matter what they have to offer.