With the National League North division looking to be boasting a plethora of teams that could all be fighting for a postseason berth, it looks as though the Cincinnati Reds are trying to leapfrog some of their divisional counterparts, and use the trade market to their advantage.
According to MLB insider Mark Feinsand, the Reds mark the most recent team that has inquired with the Cleveland Indians about the availability of their superstar shortstop, Francisco Lindor. While no sort of deal looks to be on the immediate horizon, it still is very important to note how the Reds intend to do business this offseason.
After having scooped up third baseman Mike Moustakas from the Milwaukee Brewers, as well as having brought in starting pitcher Wade Miley, also once a Brewer, and Freddy Galvis to man their shortstop role on an everyday basis, the Reds have improved their roster in terms of depth as well as on paper.
Their starting rotation may rival some across the MLB in terms of young potential, as ace Luis Castillo have Trevor Bauer, Sonny Gray, Anthony DeSchlafani, and Miley now to take some of the workload off of his shoulders. Having acquired Bauer from the Indians at least year’s trade deadline, the two front offices are very familiar with each other, so another big-time transaction is far from out of the question.
For any sort of a return, the Reds have a number of prospects that would easily catch the eye of the Indians, starting with one that just recently graduated to the big leagues and into the starting lineup for Cincinnati – Nick Senzel.
Senzel, who has been penciled in as the starting center fielder moving forward for the Reds, is a high-upside guy who is only 24 years old and just experienced his first season as a full-time MLB player. While having experienced his fair share of shortcomings and speed bumps, Senzel has made more than enough progress on what kind of a ball player he is to give the Reds enough confidence to make him a starter for Opening Day 2020, barring any sort of injury or trade.
With a penchant to deal prospects for major-league talent (see the Alex Wood – Matt Kemp deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers), the Reds would need to include more than just Senzel to get back Lindor, who is a generational talent at the shortstop position.
Sitting in the minor leagues, top prospect Hunter Greene would almost certainly be off-limits for any team, as he looks to be a great prospect with a live arm that can help this team in a few seasons. But if the Reds were serious about acquiring Lindor, then they would need to include a player like #56 overall prospect, left-handed pitcher Nick Lodolo, or even third baseman Jonathan India.
Both players are rated in the top 100, as India is the 93rd-best prospect currently, and the Indians would have any acquired minor-league players under team control for a number of years.
On the major-league level, the Reds would be smart to see if Cleveland had any sort of interest in outfielder Aristides Aquino, who went on an absolute offensive tear after being called up to the big leagues. While his offensive onslaught turned cold for a good chunk of the season after that, the Reds would be smart to cash in on his production in 2019 now and see if he can provide enough value in a trade to help save the team from including another top-tier prospect.
Lindor only has more years left on his current deal, so a return package to the Indians may be a bit lower in value due to that impending free-agency cash in. If the Reds would manage to keep him in a Red Legs uniform for longer than two seasons, then this deal would easily become very worth it for the front office to make.
If the Reds were to acquire Lindor through a trade, their hold on any sort of a top finish in the NL would become even stronger, as their roster would be built to sustain a season-long run towards the postseason. While it would be difficult to take down the St. Louis Cardinals for the Central divisional title, it would surely put them as the top contender for the title, over the rebuilding Pittsburgh Pirates, resetting Chicago Cubs, and the regrouping Milwaukee Brewers.
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