After picking up righty Tanner Roark, Reds president of baseball ops Dick Williams promises there’s “more to come,” as Bob Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Certainly, the Cinci front office has been engaged in quite a few intriguing trade scenarios of late, according to reports. It’s still anyone’s guess which will come to fruition. The addition of Roark, after all, largely came together over the course of the last few days, according to Williams and GM Nick Krall. It emerged recently that the Reds are engaged with the Marlins in talks on catcher J.T. Realmuto, the precise parameters of which aren’t clear. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic tweets that Cinci receiver Tucker Barnhart is not being discussed between these teams. But Barnhart also would not likely end up on a roster with Realmuto. Rather, the idea seems to be that the Reds would ship out Barnhart in a subsequent deal. It would seem possible for the Reds to recoup a quality hurler or backfill on any sacrificed prospect depth in a Barnhart deal, though there are obviously quite a few moving parts here.
More recent market chatter …
- Agent Gene Mato chatted with MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes about client Anibal Sanchez, who’s an intriguing open-market option after an eyebrow-raising 2018 turnaround. Many wonder whether that’s sustainable given the 34-year-old’s struggles over the prior three campaigns, in which he maintained strong K/BB numbers but was torched repeatedly by long balls. Mato points to the development of a cutter that has had a profound impact on Sanchez’s “pitch sequence” — a characterization that certainly matches the righty’s rapidly expanded use of that offering. “Teams realize it wasn’t luck,” says Mato, who points to Sanchez’s success at limiting hard contact after failing to do so in the preceding seasons. Indeed, the veteran was something of a Statcast darling, checking in with an excellent .272 xwOBA and permitting a meager 25.8% hard-hit rate and 83.7 mph average exit velocity. Interestingly, Sanchez has continued to produce yawning reverse platoon splits, but in some regards that only increases his appeal since he’s not susceptible to lefty-loaded lineups. It’ll certainly be interesting to see how Sanchez’s market plays out; he’s one of several hurlers who now seem in position to sign with most of the top assets already leaving the board.
- The Phillies are “very much in pursuit” of top lefty relievers Zach Britton and Andrew Miller, per Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia. We’ve seen that connection before, of course, but it’s of added note now with the relief market on the move and the Phils having missed on several potential rotation targets. It’s certainly possible the club views these pursuits as largely unrelated, and there are other starters to be had, but it could also redirect its focus to bolstering the pen.
- It seems the Rangers and Mets have chatted about possible matches over the past few days, with pitching the topic of conversation. MLB.com’s TR Sullivan hints via Twitter that the Texas club would be interested in young hurlers such as David Peterson and Anthony Kay. But the Mets evidently would only be interested in parting with such long-term assets if the Rangers put closer Jose Leclerc on the table. It’s worth noting that, having now already made two significant relief acquisitions, the Mets may be less inclined to do what’d be needed to get the Rangers to cough up the controllable and flame-throwing Leclerc.
- The Mariners seem quite unlikely to make any big expenditures on veterans after embarking upon a strategy that prioritizes the near future over the present. Still, the organization is lined up to bring in some more solid and reliable pieces, TJ Cotterill of the Tacoma News Tribune writes. A veteran infielder that can spend time at short, established backstop, and right-handed-hitting outfielder are all on the menu, GM Jerry Dipoto has indicated recently. The relief corps may also be addressed through low-risk, open-market signings, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times tweets.
pinkerton
Welp, the Phillies already missed out on Corbin and Happ, so you might as well just get a super bullpen to make up for it. Britton and Miller with Seranthony will be a nice trident of doom.
redsfan48
You better trademark “trident of doom” before someone else does
titanic struggle
Instant classic…
cjelepis
Corbin was a miss, but happ is just the flavor of the week. Glad we didn’t take him. Miller and Britton would make our bullpen just nasty. If we get them, and one of the sweepstakes guys, this offseason would be legendary.
Adam6710
I think it’s funny you characterize Happ as the “flavor of the week” despite his long track record, but Corbin as the miss, when his success really came just last season, well timed for his free agency.
wrigleywannabe
Happ has has a very solid career.
The ladt five years his average WAR is better than Corbin’s
bucketbrew35
Honestly grabbing both of them makes a ton of sense. Having multiple weapons to deploy against Freeman, Inciarte (who crushes the Phils) Nimmo, Conforto, Cano, Soto, and Eaton would be beyond valuable.
They have already added Pazos and Alvarez which effectively pushes Morgan down (and hopefully off) the depth chart. But a top flight lefty or two almost seems as though it is a necessity at this point.
Questionable_Source
and don’t forget about those great hitters on the marlins, like…um…oh, never mind.
halfbakedmcbride
Totally agree…Corbin/Happ would’ve been swell…but Miller/Britton would add sooo much filth and piece of mind.
DannyQ3913
Not missing anything with Happ or Corbin. Too much money for too much old age
earmbrister
Yeah, Corbin is OVER THE HILL at age 29.
bravesfan
Those relievers the Phillies are going after better be high on the braves list also. This year out of all years seems the Mets and Phillies are making a huge push to be relevant again, and the braves are relevant again and it’s been kinda slow build up to address what we truly need. I think (my opinion) that bullpen help was our biggest offseason item we needed to address. We need 2-3 rock solid arms and at least 1 of them needed to be elite if not 2.
stubby66
Just remember winning the off season means you win during the season
He was traded thata way.
Dont think thats what you meant to say stubby.
darthbusey
I thought the Braves blew most of their FA budget on Donaldson already?
He was traded thata way.
1 year deal shouldnt stop them from signing guys like miller or britton since its just 1 year theyd be a little or a lot over.
sname_james
Most? Not even half.
Coal tender
Rangers are in no strong position to deal for better prospects unless they surrender what little nuggets they have in inventory such as relief pitcher Jose LeClerc. Ranger GM Jon Daniels had “crashed” the farm system a few years ago, and the “rebuild” has been painfully slow. Meaningful prospects won’t be available until 2020 or 2021.
dudeman40
I wouldn’t call one terrible year “painfully slow”.
bobtillman
The Rangers are just a strange organization. Not as strange as the Orioles, though. I have it on the best authority that they’ll name a new manager by the July 31 trading deadline.
Until then, IBM’s Watson will be the Field Manager…HAL will be the first base coach….Robby the Robot will coach 3B…..and Commander Data will be the Bench Coach….
Timothy Salahi
the rebuilding just stared last year the problem with jd he was going for it and made some stupid trades that’d didn’t pan out! I’m not a Jd fan but we still have chips to play with and we did go back to back
ExileInLA 2
If the Mets were to add LeClerc, and keep their other pitchers, and (here’s the big one) stay healthy, they might have the best pitching in baseball. Imagine a post-season facing deGrom, Thor and Wheeler, with Diaz, Familia, LeClerc, Lugo and Gsellman in the pen…
He was traded thata way.
The mets still need better production fron 1B 3B SS and C to be a serious threat.
OrangeKhrush
Maybe the mets try do a Profar/Le Clerc deal
Pedro13365
Their top prospect (Alonso) may be MLB ready to start 2019. If not, the option is there to play Cano at 1B and McNeil at 2B. Rosario is a solid SS as not every player is going to hit .300/20/80. There are pieces there to be dealt and BVW seems to be doing his due diligence on everything.
earmbrister
1B, 3B, SS, C, AND CF AND LF.
Other than that, they’re all set. Realmuto for 2 years makes as much sense for the NYM as it does for my Reds …
If you’re gonna part with Thor, get one, if not two, of the Padres top prospects:
Francisco Mejia C (SDP #3 Prospect, #26 MLB overall)
and also ask for (probably a reach)
Ryan Weathers LHP (SDP #10 Prospect, #92 MLB overall)
If including Weathers is a no go, ask for an OFr in SD’s #13-#19 range.
Get years and years of control for Thor, not 2 yrs of Realmuto.
jbigz12
If the Mets were interested in acquiring prospects they’d be better off taking the cano deal back. You don’t go two feet in with a deal like that and go trade syndergaard for prospects. BVW has been clear he wants to contend. Realmuto doesn’t make more sense on the reds. No way, no how. You guys need so much pitching to even get to 500 in that division. The cardinals are better, cubs are still there and the brewers are still there.
jamesalba32
Their no.1 prospect is Peter Alonso who led the minor leagues in HR and RBI last year, he’ll be up two weeks into the season, 1B solved.
Jeff McNeil batted .327 in the last 60 games will be the starting 3rd baseman.
Amed Rosario was the no.2 prospect in all of baseball a year and a half ago, he stole 24 bases and batted .280 in the second half of the season. SS is more than fine.
Brandon Nimmo and Michael Conforto are their corner outfielders so LF is a non issue.
They need a catcher and a center fielder. Other than that, the Mets just need a legitament bench piece or two.
Grandal/Ramos/Maldonado
Pollock/Jones
Gonzales/Harrison
Get one of each of those spots and they are set
wright1970
if the Mets were able to add Leclerc, we would be pretty good….probably a pipedream though
OrangeKhrush
Profar and Leclerc and then trying to get that deal for Realmuto could turn the mets into a serious threat
jbigz12
The Mets don’t have enough minor league firepower to get all those players without dealing Thor.
baseballpun
I’m happy to see some teams, in the NL at least, go for it instead of just giving up and tearing it all down for a 3-5 year “rebuild” just because they’re in a good division.
mmarinersfan
Right handed outfielder means Gamel starts in AAA, even though he has nothing left to prove there. But a platoon with Bruce might be a good idea.
Then play the service time game with J.P. Crawford, Justus Sheffield, and erik swanson.
Sheldon Bowen
I see Bruce filling dh mostly. Smith and haniger as center and rf. Gamel feels like the fourth outfield maybe. I think vogelbauch opens at first with no more options I believe. Santana I feel will be gone, Gordon at second, a vet at SS since jp will probably get the service time bs. Seager at third, Navarro at catcher. Sp Felix, Sheffield, leblanc, Gonzalez and leake.
Cat Mando
JP already has over a year service time. He’s no longer a prospect or rookie. Yea, they can send him down but how much good would it really do?
cjamesg
What good would it do is allow for an additional year of control by sending him down for the first month of the season.
69kerrywoodsfan69
If the Braves want to take a risk.. maybe Greg Holland would be a little cheaper and hella dominate. And just get Carlos Gonzalez for rf. let enders bromance live!!! Or maybe bring back Markakis and not let him play 162 games and regress in the 2nd half. Or just start Duvall. I honestly dont care. Chipper isnt coming back. And please let ozzie bat behind acuna! 4th 5th sounds great.
baseballpun
Greg Holland will not hella dominate.
69kerrywoodsfan69
He did have 24 appearances with the nationals last year. the .84 era is very nice. everything with the cardinals is gross. he would sign a one year deal and be effective enough.
swanhenge
Can’t Philly put something together for Kluber? ODB, Franco, Sanchez…should be enough ready-talent to send to CLE.
Altanta Barves
It’s so cute to see the Reds play “pretend building a contender.”
earmbrister
… Says the Braves fan who is proud that his team has been a contender for all of ONE season. 90+ losses for the Braves in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Please be condescending some more.
69kerrywoodsfan69
Reds have great hitters. Joey votto makes a lot but hes still good. Reds have a chance on getting better, starting pitchers, maybe a reliever or two. They’ll be fine. Braves equally fine. The Nl east is super exciting. And tanking has proving world series wins. Looking at you Cubs and Astros.
sixpacktwo
Pretend? I’m sorry, but they have a good hitting team and if they add a #1/2 Starter, (already added a 2/3) and a hitting CF they should be in the 80+ win area.
earmbrister
Please Cincy. We DO NOT need Realmuto. Cincy’s next window of contention is at least a year, if not 3 years away. What good is having Realmuto for the next two years? We’ll win 75 games, but have best catcher bragging rights?
If the Reds trade someone like Trammell for ANYTHING but a TOR pitcher with at least 3 years of control remaining, I will find a new team to root for. Forty years and I’d be done. We stunk for 4 years, and the only payoff are draftees like Senzel, Trammel, and Greene. If that is all for naught via trade, I’m done.
DockEllisDee
I would imagine they’d flip him at the deadline if they’re embarrassingly out of the race.. not disagreeing with you at all though, this is a head scratcher, seeing as how Barnhart is a GG catcher with control left, and a decent bat for being a catcher. Regardless, I’m hoping I’ll be pleasantly surprised by what transpires, “surprised” being the key word
sixpacktwo
That is the only type of trade that would make sense. Our 5/6 main guys in minors are our future unless you trade with long-term control. No trading 6 for 2.
ucat2006
Love the handle: Ed Armbrister is the BEST Bahamian major leaguer ever. Hands down!
tiredolddude
For all those who rationalized giving away Nova to the ChiSox would enable the Pirates to pursue a “cheaper FA,” like Anabel Sanchez, this reporting should be a nice whiff of napalm. This is a management team that can’t decide if it wants to contend or rebuild. There’s no logical plan