The Rangers and Reds have discussed a trade potentially involving either Anthony DeSclafani or Dan Straily, MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan tweets. Sullivan adds that another option for the Rangers as they attempt to address their rotation could be a reunion with free agent Colby Lewis. The Reds, meanwhile, are interested in reliever Jeremy Jeffress.
DeSclafani, it would seem, would be the more valuable of the two Reds trade chips. The 26-year-old righty posted a 3.28 ERA, 7.7 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 in 123 1/3 solid innings in 2016, and with less than three years of service time, he could be a solid middle-of-the-rotation piece for years to come. The 28-year-old Straily, though, also had a surprisingly solid year after arriving in Cincinnati via a waiver claim, posting a 3.76 ERA, 7.6 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 while eating 191 1/3 innings.
Lewis, now 37, posted a respectable 3.71 ERA in Texas in 2016, but with underwhelming peripherals (5.6 K/9, 2.2 BB/9). He also missed time to a strained lat.
The Reds’ interest in Jeffress is somewhat difficult to understand at first glance. The veteran Jeffress’ strong 2016 season and closing experience would make him somewhat of an odd fit as a luxury item for a rebuilding club, unless perhaps the Reds’ plan upon acquiring him would be to flip him to another team. The Reds could also potentially be thinking that Jeffress’ personal issues, including a recent DWI arrest, could reduce his price, although the Rangers have shown little reluctance in recent years in dealing with troubled players. The Rangers do, however, have significant relief depth.
unsaturatedmatz
Descalfani for Ariel Jurado or Cole Raggans
nicklauth
No, that’s highway robbery. A #2 or 3 starter for most teams who won’t become a free agent til 2021, and is still cheap, is going to cost a lot more than that.
unsaturatedmatz
Meant Jurado and Raggans
Ezlove
Jon Daniels is probably triggered about sale, so he might be anxious to pull the trigger on a trade with billy Hamilton and Desclafani
smelliott00
I don’t know if the Reds would be willing to deal Hamilton unless they are blown away, but how great of a fit would he be with Texas? Especially if they can grab a controllable starter from Cincinnati along with the speedster.
cincyfan1975
Honestly, I could see trading Hamilton and Straily for a package consisting of Profar, Jeffress, and another mid level prospect. Risk would be assumed on both sides but both teams would also have a great deal of potential upside. Hamilton and Straily had career years. Can they repeat? Profar hasn’t shown anything in the majors and Jeffress is a risk off the field.
mvottop
The Reds will not want another infielder.
cincyfan1975
If I’m not mistaken, Profar has played LF in the past. That would be the only way he could fit into the lineup.
steelerbravenation
I could see Profar,Jeffress and Choo for Desclafani & Hamilton
24TheKid
I’m pretty sure that would a terrible trade for the Reds.
MaverickDodger
I don’t think anyone takes on the Choo contract
Cam
A reliever, a prospect who’s lost years to injury, and a dead-weight contract for a #2 controlled starter and a starting CF’er with elite defense and baserunning. Makes zero sense.
Why on earth would the Reds want Choo anyway?
Why oh why?
jochilz
Profar Celing is higher than anything Cincy has. And #2 starter? Not on a good team. But yeah nobody wants the Choo contract.
The Reds and Rangers can make a deal worthwhile for both, but Cincy isn’t in a spot to hold ransom either so we will see
ChazB322
Profar might have a higher ceiling than a lot of Reds prospects… other than Senzel, who plays one of his potential positions. Also, pretty sure DeSclafani would be a #2 starter for most playoff teams last year. And Cincy can demand whatever it wants. It has no reason to trade either Hamilton or DeSclafani. Both would still theoretically be under contract when they become relevant again.
jochilz
Which will be? You can hold those guys and risk losing their value and you’re stuck in the same hole you’re in now. You need to improve and I don’t think people are beating your door down with offers.
ds1285
I hope you are joking. No way the reds would want an injury prone choo. And they don’t need a second basemen. They got one in the jay Bruce deal
steelerbravenation
my bad was gonna put Raggans in there not Choo I don’t know why I put Choo in there. But Profar, Jeffress & Raggans for Descafani & Hamilton ????
hoyce
Desclafani will cost the Rangers mazara
hoyce
I could see straily and billy Hamilton for pitching prospect Mendez and jeffress
jochilz
If Sale/ archer talks couldn’t get Mazara in. No way Deskfan does
RockHard
Hahahaha!!! Worst post I’ve ever read on this site!
bballblk
Starting pitching? Reds? Hahahahahahahahaha
ilikebaseball 2
Wow, how did Straily get that ERA? It seems like he was always out there taking lumps so the young guys wouldn’t get discouraged, he must of had some gems out there.
Turtle
One major reason Straily’s ERA was so low is Billy Hamilton.
Matt Galvin
Gallo in it to play 3B instead of Profar and also Phillips in it to.
bballblk
No starting pitcher on the reds and/or even Phillips if you want to go there is good enough and cheap enough for them to get Gallo
RockHard
Couldn’t agree more..
hoyce
Phillips has negative value but desclafini has big value. U obviously know nothing about him or u severely overvalue ur teams prospects. At one time, Gallo was prob untouchable. But now he is creepy up on a bust. I doubt the Reds want him anyway.
Rock hard… The rangers are obviously interested in straily, BHam and Disco. What do u think the deal…if there is a deal would look like
Pretty easy to say what u think is a bad trade when u don’t say what u think will happen. Or maybe that’s why u are always right, because u don’t say
jochilz
As a ranger fan I don’t give you Profar or Gallo for anything you have. No disrespect but for the value I think we could just go elsewhere, Cincinnati will still be in the same position come trade deadline and we will still have ammunition to shop around the league. You can be down on Gallo all you want but the Rangers have a past of HR smashing 1B that get way better with a new uniform. Gallo will stay until someone meets his value or we will take chances with him earning a everyday spot
hoyce
Texas wouldn’t want Phillips. Maybe LAAngels.
MiamiPhins34
Gallo and Mendez for Desclafani and Hamilton as a basic framework could be interesting.
tbj777
How the Rangers currently shake up IMO:
LINEUP
1. Andrus (SS)
2. Beltre (3b)
3. Lucroy (C)
4. Choo (DH)
5. Odor (2b)
6. Mazara (RF)
7. Profar (1b vs. RHP), Rua (1b vs. LHP)
8. Gallo (LF)
9. Deshields (CF)
STARTERS
1. Hamels
2. Darvish
3. Perez
4. Cashner
5. Griffin/Martinez (Depending on who makes it)
BULLPEN
CL Dyson
RightySU Bush
LeftSU Diekman
ShortR Barnette
ShortR Leclerc
Mid/ShortR Kela
LongR Claudio
BENCH
Profar/Rua (Platoon)
Alberto
Chirinos
*Aquire Bench Outfielder*
Phil Merkel
This lineup will not get it! They can’t win with this lineup.
madmanTX
You know nothing, Phil Merkel
RockHard
Zero chance that is the opening day lineup.. plenty of dominos still to fall
timothysus
If the Reds are talking to the Rangers you can believe that the Rangers are going to get the good end of the trade. They have nothing left in the minors to offer for any of the 3 players mentioned. If you got their 2 top minor leagues for any of the players mentioned you just got hosed!! Walt still must be in control.