With the Cincinnati Reds destined to once again miss the postseason in 2023, expect there to be plenty of trade rumors surrounding the team. But which members of the Reds could be on the move at the MLB trade deadline?
Mired in the bottom of what has been a less-than-dominant National League Central, the Reds will likely once again be sellers at the upcoming MLB trade deadline. It's a chance for Cincinnati to build toward the future and once again revamp a roster that will be centered around Hunter Greene and Jonathan India moving forward (unless the club decides to purchase Joey Votto's $20 million option for next season, which could be a long shot with his recent injury history).
So who could be on the move from Cincinnati and where might they be going? Here are some ideas.
Trade idea: Cincinnati Reds send Buck Farmer to Texas Rangers
The 32-year-old Farmer has been solid this season, entering Wednesday's play with an ERA+ of 161 and a 3.00 ERA/4.03 FIP/0.917 WHIP. The right-hander would be a boost for the Texas bullpen, which ranks 27th out of MLB's 30 teams in bWAR at minus-1.6.
Texas has already spent to boost the rotation and lineup, but now it's time for the Rangers to focus on the relief corps and see what can be done to lower the stress level in later innings. Farmer, who is a free agent next season, has limited opponents to just a .171 batting average against him this season in 24.0 innings over 21 games. He would be a nice fit in Texas, and will likely command some attention from multiple teams as the trade deadline draws ever nearer.
Trade idea: Cincinnati Reds send Alexis Diaz to the New York Mets
This one isn't too far-fetched at all. After all, the family ties are already there, with Diaz as the brother of Mets closer Edwin Diaz, who is absent from the team this season after suffering an injury at the World Baseball Classic. Also, there has already reportedly been discussions earlier this season (not long after the WBC injury to Edwin) about what it would take for the Mets to land Alexis in a deal and slide onto the roster as the team's closer.
MLB insider Jon Heyman reported during those earlier rumors that the Mets would likely balk at Cincinnati's price tag for the 26-year-old right-hander … but would they as the trade deadline gets closer? Make no mistake about it, Diaz is likely the biggest trade chip the Reds will have, not only because of what he is doing on the field (10 saves, 1.93 ERA, 0.857 WHIP, 16.9 strikeouts per nine innings), but also because of the team control that comes with him (Diaz won't become a free agent until the 2028 campaign).
Cincinnati is in a great situation with Diaz in that they don't have to deal him and can keep him as part of their plans moving forward. However, with the volatile rises and falls of relief pitchers, his stock may never be higher than it will be at this year's trade deadline.
Diaz is a name to watch, and the Mets are a team to watch with him.
Trade idea: Cincinnati Reds send Kevin Newman to Seattle Mariners
This trade certainly won't be an earth-moving deal, but the call-up of Matt McLain to play shortstop has caused a logjam in the middle infield in Cincinnati. Moving Newman makes sense for the Reds, even though he still has a year of team control left.
Newman's OPS+ of 61 certainly doesn't have teams lining up at Cincinnati's door to ask about him. However, the Reds have to do something about Newman and moving him off the team gets rid of the reminder of a trade between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati involving Newman that easily leans toward favoring the Pirates. Cincinnati needs to try to get what they can out of him, even if it's a low prospect from the Mariners.
Why Seattle? Well, the Mariners aren't getting as much production as was hoped out of second base, where Kolten Wong has led a downward spiral in the Pacific Northwest at the position. Entering Wednesday, the Mariners were next-to-last in MLB in bWAR at second base at minus-1.3, so Seattle could use some ideas to improve here. Perhaps a depth piece like the 29-year-old Newman could help the Mariners?
Cincinnati and Seattle have been trade partners in the recent past, so perhaps there is another chapter in that story left to write involving Newman.
