The Reds’ short- and long-term plans for their rotation hit a snag in 2016 when promising starter Raisel Iglesias shifted to the bullpen after encountering shoulder problems. Now, with Iglesias having morphed into one of the game’s most valuable late-game assets over the past two seasons, it’s clear that something positive came from the right-hander’s role change.
Since he became a member of Cincinnati’s relief corps, Iglesias has combined for 126 innings of 2.29 ERA pitching, with 10.43 K/9 against 3.29 BB/9. Any team would sign up for that type of production, including the Reds themselves, who seem inclined to retain Iglesias entering his age-28 season. But with the Reds amid a rebuild and not looking like near-term contenders, there’s an argument to be made that they should sell Iglesias this winter.
Iglesias has already drawn reported interest from the Twins, who will need to bolster their thin bullpen if they’re going to build on the unexpected success they experienced in 2017. Iglesias would be a fit for a Minnesota club seeking more strikeouts from its pitching staff, but with a farm system that lacks impact talent (per Baseball America), he may be out of its reach.
The Twins are one of a multitude of teams that could inquire about Iglesias (or maybe already have). Indeed, general manager Dick Williams estimated earlier this month that two-thirds of the league would have interest in Iglesias without the Reds even having to shop his services. That seems like a reasonable guess on Williams’ part, given both Iglesias’ superb pitching and his affordability.
Thanks to the seven-year, $27MM contract he signed as a Cuban defector in 2014, Iglesias is under control through the 2020-21 offseason. He’s guaranteed a relatively meager $14.5MM in salaries over the next three years ($4.5MM in 2018, $5MM in both ’19 and ’20), though he could opt into arbitration in each of those offseasons if he believes he’d rake in more money that way. That’s unlikely to happen in 2018, with MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projecting a $2.8MM arbitration award for Iglesias should he choose that route. Regardless, Iglesias’ contract only adds to his appeal, and it’s a big part of the reason why he’d command a significant haul in a trade.
Teams with good systems that are either in contention or close to it stand out as the best fits for Iglesias in a hypothetical trade, which would seem to rule out rebuilding clubs such as the Tigers, Padres, Marlins, Athletics and White Sox. None of the Blue Jays, Rays, Orioles, Yankees, Red Sox, Royals, Mariners, Angels, Rangers, Indians, Mets, Cubs, Pirates, Diamondbacks or Giants look like ideal fits, either, for various reasons.
Toronto and Tampa Bay have two of the top 10 farms in the league, according to BA, though neither team appears to be in position to strip itself of major young talent to acquire a reliever. The Yankees and Indians seem to possess more than enough quality relievers, meanwhile, and the rest of the aforementioned clubs probably don’t have the youth on hand to put together a suitable package for Iglesias. That leaves us with seven of the Reds’ National League counterparts — the Braves, Phillies, Nationals, Cardinals, Brewers, Rockies and Dodgers — and the World Series champion Astros.
An earnest Iglesias pursuit could be a tad aggressive for either Atlanta or Philadelphia, a pair of clubs that have resided at the bottom of the standings in recent years. Both teams seem to be pushing toward contention, however, and there’s no shortage of capable prospects on hand in either case (even though the Braves just lost a dozen youngsters thanks to ex-GM John Coppolella’s transgressions).
The Nationals figure to rule the NL East for the third straight year in 2018, but they’re not loaded in the bullpen after Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle. Next season might be the last in D.C. for Bryce Harper, which could lead to some bold, go-for-broke moves from general manager Mike Rizzo this winter. Landing Iglesias would qualify, though it would mean further thinning out a top-heavy system.
The Cardinals look poised to serve as one of the league’s most active teams in the next few months, and the need for relief help is apparent with Trevor Rosenthal out of the organization and Seung-hwan Oh and Juan Nicasio having hit free agency. The division-rival Brewers had the world-class game-ending tandem of Corey Knebel and Josh Hader in 2017, but the latter could shift to the rotation in the near future. Even if he doesn’t, there’s room for another inexpensive, top-notch reliever in Milwaukee, a low-payroll club with the prospects to assemble an Iglesias package.
As for the two NL West clubs, the Rockies and Dodgers, it’s clear there’s a greater need for Iglesias in Colorado. The Rockies surprisingly earned a playoff berth in 2017, in part because of relievers Greg Holland, Jake McGee and Pat Neshek. All three of those hurlers are now free agents, however, so Colorado is going to have to focus on its bullpen this offseason. Enter Iglesias, then? Notably, he’s rather reliant on a slider, a pitch the Rockies’ relievers threw more than 28 other bullpens last season and one that’s capable of surviving in the high altitude at Coors Field.
The pennant-winning Dodgers have arguably the game’s preeminent closer in Kenley Jansen, but their second-best reliever from last season, Brandon Morrow, is currently on the open market. That leaves room for an Iglesias pickup if they’re willing to part with the prospects, as he’s superior to late-inning holdovers such as Pedro Baez, Josh Fields, Luis Avilan and ex-Reds teammate Tony Cingrani.
The Astros managed to knock off the Dodgers in a Fall Classic that lived up its name, though the slump Houston’s bullpen endured nearly foiled its plans. Still, Iglesias would be more of a luxury than a must-have for the Astros, who look to be in fine shape with Ken Giles (playoff struggles notwithstanding), Chris Devenski, Will Harris and Joe Musgrove in the fold. But GM Jeff Luhnow tried to meaningfully improve the Astros’ bullpen over the summer, when he nearly swung a deal for the Orioles’ Zach Britton, and that was before Giles’ disastrous postseason run. With that in mind, perhaps Luhnow will dip into his high-end farm system this offseason to reel in a premier reliever like Iglesias, who would join a bullpen that led the majors in slider usage in 2017.
While the Reds may choose to go forward with Iglesias, it’s inarguable that they have an eminently valuable trade chip on their hands. As someone who saved 28 of 30 opportunities and recorded more than three outs in 17 of 63 appearances last season, Iglesias is the type of flexible late-game weapon who’d be worth more to a playoff-caliber team than a non-contender. With Cincinnati falling into the latter category, Iglesias just might himself in another uniform in 2018.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
TheChanceyColborn
Trade him for more young pitchers who they can rush to the majors and destroy their confidence.
Daver520
These “Looking for a match in a trade for (fill in the name here) are too prevalent on this sight .
I know it’s hot-stove time but c’mon already … and proof read your grammar already !
nymetsking
^ site
proofread your spelling too.
Daver520
LMAO ! #ImaDummy
pd14athletics
Hmmm… do you mean “site”?
I think these articles are both fun and interesting, and help pass the time between trades and signings.
Chris Sale Amateur Tailor
if there isn’t any moves being made these are great articles please keep them up
plem24
Send him to Houston for Paulino, one of the Perez lads and Valdez. Don’t need a shut down closer when you lose 90+ games
WalkersDayOff
The Reds traded Chapman when they came off a 98 loss season and it was an absolute disaster. They wont move Iglesias for a PED user and 2 lottery tickets
Phillies2017
In all fairness though, everything about the initial Chapman deal was a disaster. That was one of those deals that never, at any point, looked like it was mutually beneficial.
Houston We Have A Solution
The reds traded chapmam simply because they wanted to distance themselves from the domestic abuse allegations he was facing which he got 30 games for.
The prospect haul wasnt even a consideration nor were teams lining up to trade premier talent for a guy who could of missed the entire season or majority of it during a contract year (FA at seasons end). Nobody really knew what the MLB would decide when he was traded. He could have been given 50, 82, 162 games for his actions.
m.mlb.com/news/article/165860226/yankees-aroldis-c…
WalkersDayOff
Thats why it made no sense to trade him. Even if he got suspended more than 50 games the Reds would have recovered an extra year of service time. The whole Chapman case cost the Reds a Gleyber Torres like prospect and probably the Dodgers a trip to the world series. Thats why you wait it out and dont make decisions off speculation
Houston We Have A Solution
Reread the 1st part of my comment. Reds wanted to distance themselves from a known domestic abuser.
The reds and league knew he was going to be suspended. It wasnt a matter of if but a matter of how much.
Like I said. Reds wanted to distance themselves from chapman due to domestic abuse They opted for the PR side of baseball rather than the business side of baseball.
ksoze
Bad idea to move him, and yes every team needs a shut down closer.
Chris Sale Amateur Tailor
paulino’s value is down a lot due to poor performance and Peds if the twins can’t match that offer our entire front office should be fired
bastros88
great so he can become the next Ken Giles. no thanks
herecomethephillies2018
Giles had a solid season and still has a bright future. If you guys want VV and Appel back for Giles then by all means send him back.
AvidAstrosFan
That’s a little steep for 1 year player. If his last 2 years are player options I think Houston passes on a trade. Luhnow hordes his farm league players for the most part.
redsFAN86
I don’t see the Reds trading him. 14.5 over the next three seasons is a steal for his value. Everything I’ve been told the reds should be ready to contend by 2020 which would be the last year of his contract. If the reds are out of the hunt in 2020 trade him at the trade deadline to a contender. Why would a team who needs pitching trade their best reliever who is affordable and controlled? Trade from their surplus for some arms- which is outfielders and middle infielders.
bigkempin
Should being able to contend and actually being able to contend are 2 completely different things. Iglesias’s value is at an all time high and any team acquiring him would get 3 years of control. Relief pitchers are generally fairly volatile outside of a handful of pitchers. Don’t you think the O’s regret not trading Britton after 2016?
redsFAN86
Then that begs the question . Reds need pitching so they trade their best pitcher who is controllable for three more years? So when are they planning on contending? Or just continue to trade players for prospect after prospect.
Brixton
because bad teams don’t need elite closers
Coast1
Bad teams don’t need any elite players because whether they’re a closer or Joey Votto their performance doesn’t help them win. Yet the Reds kept Votto and they’ll probably keep other elite players if they develop them.
hiflew
Votto has a no trade clause and no desire to leave Cincy. THAT is why they kept him.
OhioTom
As a Reds fan, hate to see him go but Reds have other needs and young pitchers who might be able to replace him (to a degree at least). Would love to see them package him and Hamilton for Yelich.
fieldsj2
Package for Yelich? they wouldn’t trade him stait up for him…
Weighed
Never count Jerry Dipoto out when it comes to a trade. The man could trade team mascots and uniform colours, just to make a trade. Anything is possible.
JKB 2
Why do you condone DiPoto? Is numerous trades are a joke. How many good ones has he made. I mean he took a .500 team and made 20 plus trades ro get to .500. He is a joke
Weighed
I didn’t condone.
I said never count out him trading, even though the writer said probably not Seattle.
justin-turner overdrive
Is Franklin Barreto, Grant Holmes and Greg Diechmann too heavy or light?
Chris Sale Amateur Tailor
anything with Barreto is way too heavy but I like the other two as secondary pieces I don’t know much about the a system but knock down the headliner a bit and that should be good
WalkersDayOff
You want to trade that for Iglesias but think Yelich deserves just Holmes and Shore..
SueJen
He ain’t going nowhere. Must be a slow news day to post this rambling article.
CompanyAssassin
Its a slow news day for literally every baseball writer. It has been pretty much since the offseason started. I’m pretty happy MLBTR is still making content whereas a lot of sites and local area writers are just doing nothing. I enjoyed this article.
EndinStealth
I do as well. The ones complaining need to get a life.
vtadave
If he ain’t going nowhere, that means he’s guess he’s going somewhere.
yukongold
Betances for Iglesias.
aff10
Not sure if this is a joke, but if you’re serious, that does nothing for the Reds
robertj53086
I’m just looking for activity. Getting antsy for some dominos to fall. So bored!
jsaldi
Gave Chapman away. Why not give Inglesis away
Brixton
no one was giving up good value for Chapman when he had an impending DV case plus a suspension
WalkersDayOff
They should have held onto him until the trade deadline. Trading him in the winter was pointless
hiflew
20-20 hindsight. You have to remember that when they traded him, the penalty he was going to get for DV was still up in the air. There was talk of him being suspended for the entire season. Of course looking back, it was a bad move, but at the time they figured they needed to get something for him.
astros_fan_84
I can see the Astros making a deal for Iglesias, as opposed to spending 4/60 for Wade Davis. However, it would come down to price. Tucker and Whitley would be untouchable. Beyond that, I’m sure Lunhow would be willing to do a 3 for 1 or 4 for 1 deal, but he won’t overpay.
Koodle
The Astros should try definitely. Makes the most sense. Rangers would work well too.
Solaris601
If the Reds are inclined to trade him, they need to get some actual top prospects who will be a part of their future. This may seem elementary, but CIN has a solid recent history of receiving shaky returns for their major league talent. Reds still need to acknowledge the elephant in the room and put more energy into convincing Votto to waive his no-trade clause. What team has ever successfully rebuilt while retaining a $25M/year contract? 6 long years left on that deal.
hiflew
Rockies from 2005-2007 rebuilt while holding onto Todd Helton. It wasn’t $25MM per, but it was pretty close. As far as percentage of overall payroll, it was probably more than the Reds and Votto. It can be done.
Solaris601
They also have 3 years and $69M on the books for Homer Bailey which doesn’t help. Votto does earn his salary – no question – but he’s one player whose large salary will limit the Reds’ payroll flexibility for the next 6-7 years. Bailey’s contract is just dead money they’ll have to eat and get very little if anything back in performance.
fieldsj2
He’s not going anywhere!
He has some ok the nastiest stuff in the game. I’m pretty sure they have learned their lesson after giving Champman away.