11:06am: MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon hears that, to the contrary, the Reds are “not actively looking to trade” Gennett. (Twitter link).
9:54am: The Reds are interested in dealing second baseman Scooter Gennett, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription link). Though the hometown hero had previously seemed to profile as an extension candidate, Cincinnati president of baseball operations Dick Williams recently threw cold water on that concept.
Gennett is entering his final season of arbitration control at a projected $10.7MM price point. On the heels of consecutive standout seasons at the plate, the 28-year-old would be among the best second basemen available on the market. But he’s also limited to playing at the keystone defensively and has historically struggled against left-handed pitching, limiting his appeal.
Beyond that, as Rosenthal notes and as we have emphasized repeatedly of late here at MLBTR, it’s hardly an opportune time to be shopping a player at that position with so many others available. It’s not immediately clear what the Reds would be looking for in a trade scenario.
Presumably, the organization would be interested in improving its rotation if at all possible, though doing so directly in a Gennett trade would be challenging. After all, any hypothetical suitor would need to be in a win-now stance. That said, teams such as the Dodgers (Alex Wood), Nationals (Tanner Roark), Pirates (Ivan Nova), and Yankees (Sonny Gray) do have similarly priced rental starters who could theoretically be swapped in some kind of arrangement — though there’s no indication at present that those or any other particular clubs would be interested in trying to work something out.
Moving Gennett for some kind of prospect return would surely also be a consideration, particularly if it’d mean freeing assets (trade chips and salary) for pursuit of other players — with a center fielder and rotation upgrade likely at the top of the wish list. Rosenthal says that the organization is motivated by the desire to open the door to top infield prospect Nick Senzel, who could step right in at second, perhaps in partnership with a veteran utility infielder. Such a reallocation of resources could make sense for a team that is clearly interested in improving its near-term product without sacrificing its vision for the future.
Ron marker
I’m waiting for pinstripes to say get it done cashman. Frazier and two other bums
gotothevideotape
I’m with ya Ron
baseballpun
Frazier is the Yankees Schwarber. Except he hasn’t proven anything.
billysbballz
Frazier can actually play the outfield and has some speed. Schwarber has a ton of power but honestly does not belong in the outfield and is truly a DH. Big difference. Yes Frazier hasn’t proven anything yet but he’s 23yo and suffered a strange injury hustling. I love Schwarber bat but that’s it.
baseballpun
Yanks fans thing Frazier can headline a package in any trade the way Cubs fans think Schwarber can.
sufferforsnakes
Schwarber truly a DH? Maybe in the past. Last season he played 943.2 innings in LF, had 186 chances, 174 PO, 11 assists, and only 1 error, with a .995 Fld %.
That’s pretty good for a DH-only guy.
muskie73
Steamer600, which assumes 600 plate appearances for each position player, projects 2019 WAR of 3.2 for Kyle Swarber and 1.1 for Clint Frazier,
thinkblech
He makes plays on balls he gets to, for sure. He graded out as plus by advanced metrics, so if he’s positioned well and pitchers execute, he isn’t a negative.
Robertowannabe
So, you are saying Swarber is pretty “iffy” 🙂
BrewCrew1302
What is it with everyone thinking Schwarber can headline a package deal? Cub fans think hes the reborn Jesus Christ
getright11
Saying your spelling is iffy
morgannyy 2
Thank god the cubs valued Schwarber higher than Torres! Ha
billysbballz
I’m not sending Frazier for a rental! I think allot more highly if Frazier then that.
pinstripes17
Frazier is too much
Adam6710
Frazier, Ellsbury, and Florial– get it done, Cashman!
redsfan48
Reds won’t take on Ellsbury’s salary
Adam6710
Are you kidding? Teams are LINING UP to pay Ellsbury! Get your head out of the Cincinnati sand!
its_happening
Love the sarcasm.
That was sarcasm, right?
Slevin
That was and is trolling!
Adam6710
It’s so obviously sarcasm, I keep posting to laugh at how many people argue with me about why “X player is worth more than Frazier/Florial/Ellsbury.” So much fun.
PinstripedPride
Sonny Gray would go to Cincinnati in this theoretical deal. The Reds want pitchers
walls17
Gray for Gennett straight up? Maybe the Yankees throw in a lottery ticket or two?
gotothevideotape
Sounds like a plan walls
redsfan54
Lmao Scooter >>>>> Gray
acarneglia
I was just going to comment the same thing
OnuLaw5
I am biased, but I think the Yankees would need to add something for such a trade to make sense for the Reds. But…with the market flush at 2B, you never know. I would say something like Gray and Frazier for Scooter and Jose Garcia could work for both sides.
rivera42
Definitely don’t see Gray alone being enough. Maybe something like Gray, Domingo Acevedo, and Tyler Wade for Gennett?
billysbballz
If you are Cash why do this?
Daniel Murphy can be signed to one year and temporarily handle second until Didi returns but honestly Torres needs to stay at second as he’s not very good range wise at ss and we can sign a Hecheverria to fill in until Didi returns.
I would not include Frazier in any deal when as it stands he is platooning in left with Gardner and Stanton also revealed he is more suited in RF and is a liability in left for any sustained period!
walls17
Daniel Murphy should not be playing second base anymore. If anything they should sign him to play first
Codeeg
Reds probably need a prospect, that’d be the point of trading him.
jdgoat
How on earth is that a straight up deal? Gennetts coming off an all star year and Gray is coming off his worst.
evilempire28
I’m on board!
tv 2
lol
redsfan54
Leave scooter at second, move senzel to RF or CF if he is able to improve at the position. If he has to play RF then either deal with Scott Schebler in CF for a season or go sign a veteran guy for 1 season as a bridge for Friedl or Trammell
slider32
Cinncy made a mistake holding onto Halmilton too long, and they did the same thing will Scooter.
redsfan54
Made a mistake? He’s 28, the only mistake is not giving him an extension.
joeshmoe11
Giving him an extension would be a mistake. This is the opportune time to deal him- there’s a younger and better player behind him and his value is as high as it will ever be. Gennett for Gray and sort out whatever prospects.
redsfan54
Opportune time? With one year left on his deal? This is the worst possible time, obviously. Scooter is your second baseman. Senzel is athletic enough to play OF or even better give him another chance at SS and put Peraza in CF
RedRooster
Opportune time in that his trade value will only go down from here
redsfan54
That’s fine. Let him keep hitting 300 with 25 homeruns each season in a reds uni
RedRooster
For one more season before the Reds lose him for nothing like Cozart XD
sixpacktwo
Gennett gives the yankees 30 HR and a 300 BA at 2nd. and they have the money to resign or leave and get pick. Yanks where do you bat him 2,3,4,5 they do not grow on trees.
goldenmisfit
This would probably be the consolation prize for teams who lose out on Manny Machado.
antsmith7
Brewers?
baseballpun
They could always use a second baseman.
BrewCrew1302
Id love him back in MKE
Brewer67
Lets trade someone for him after we released 2 years ago lol
BrewCrew1302
Then who do you propose plays second base.? scooter hit lefties very well last year. We should have never let him and segura go to begin with. We gave up on them way too fast
hiflew
Any of the other 5 second basemen on the open market that are capable of starting at 2B.
AlBundysFanClubPresident
Gennett cried his way out of Milwaukee. And the brewers didn’t release him until after attempting to trade him, with no takers.
So, I think it’s less about what brewers brass or fans might want, and more about gennett wanting nothing to do with a reunion.
ffjsisk
Scooter’s raked the last 2 years and actually hit lefties very well last year. No way the Reds are gonna give him away for Sonny Gray ands lottery ticket.
tv 2
I was gonna say that.
joeshmoe11
He’s limited defensively, only has one year of control, and doesn’t seem to be someone who will age gracefully. He’s valuable for sure but I think Gennett for Gray+ is a good deal for both. Gray is a hell of a bounce back candidate
redsfan54
I’d rather have an all-star caliber second baseman then a potential “bounce back” pitcher that could just struggle like he did last season.
RedRooster
There would be more coming back to CIN in the deal than just Gray. He would not be the headliner.
sixpacktwo
Gennett everyday player, 30 HRs and 300 avg. for a bounceback candidate? No, the yanks have to sweeten the pot.
soxscelticspats
Wonder if the BoSox would make a call
MetsYankeesRedSox
Yes!
Pedies toast.
hj1951
who would BoSox trade
swanhenge
It makes sense, but it would be PR nightmare. With all the warm fuzzies going around Fenway, this would be a cold splash of reality.
I think the plan is to see what Pedie has left and maybe they can hide him in the 8-9 spot of the batting order. If he starts slow or has to miss more time, they need to swallow hard and get someone in there. Nunez is the in-house option, but idk if he’s the answer…ya know w the concrete block attached to the end of his left arm.
titanic struggle
Called this one yesterday when I read Williams talking about being very selective about extensions. And, he hit .294 against lefties last season…
slider32
Scooterwill be a free agent in 20 so I don’t see them getting too much for him. There are better second basemen out there.
sixpacktwo
Where? Defense only, and not a great deal.
bigredsfan41017
It’s about time they Reds say goodbye to the inexperienced Dick Williams!
DockEllisDee
I don’t know, this seems a bit unnecessary.. hopefully they proceed as sellers and hold on to Gennett unless they receive a proposal that stands up to his value. Ivan Nova? Please God no.. I could see Gray, Roark too but they’re both players with falling stock. I’m not saying Gennett should pull in the moon but he’s a special player imho, hoping for a return that reflects that. Btw… a team can never have too much bullpen depth, hoping the FO adds there this winter, maybe adds another Harvey type that can hold things together for 4 or 5 innings and then turns it over to a decent pen.
fathead
Scooter has played some RF…send him to Atlanta
Dan Rogers
Teheran, Parsons and Demeritte….get it done AA
redsfan48
I really like this proposal from the Reds’ perspective. I’ve always liked Teherán, and even if he has lost a little bit, I think he’d still be a major upgrade to the Reds’ rotation, even if he’s no longer an ace or probably even a #2 anymore.
larryb
Reds front office getting rid of all the fan favorites
joeshmoe11
Thankfully. Fan favorites aren’t always the best players, or, in Hamilton’s case, even any good. Attendance was crappy last year so it’s not as if they were filling turnstiles. Upgrade the team any way you can
Cuso
All things considered, Gray and Wade should be enough for the rental Gennett. You can throw in a single-A lottery ticket arm if you want.
Willy Mays
If Cashman can get Gennett for Gray and Wade he deserves GM of the year
dobsonel
Gray I can see being part of the deal, but Wade sucks. It would take one of the Yanks top prospect pitchers.
chrstnldy
Scooter should not be traded! He’s too valuable to the organization. Extend him, Dick.
RedRooster
Yeah! He should “just extend” Scooter the same way he was able to “just extend” Cueto, Chapman and Cozart!
bad bruce
Gray and Frazier for Scooter is solid for both teams.
billysbballz
Nope makes no sense for Yanks. We have Torres at second and he will stay there. Scooter is a short term rental even if they decided to move Torres to ss. Frazier is way too much.
Gray and Adams would be a fair deal!
Willy Mays
Wrong .Makes perfect sense for Yanks.With Didi out move Gleyber to SS Gennett second Andujar third and when Didi gets back slide torres or gennett to third and andujar to first or just play with extra infielder with one dhing occasionally
oesterizer
Reds Fan Reportedly Losing Interest In Team
tv 2
he must be asking a ton for an extension. otherwise why would you trade him. unless they are really going after Pollack.
joeshmoe11
I can dream that they’re going for Pollack and inserting Senzel at 2B
joew
I’d like the idea of Nova for Gennett but Pirates need more of a SS than a second basemen. But i’d obviously still like’m.
redsfan48
Reds wouldn’t do that in-division, as that proposal would count on the Reds winning now since Nova only has this year left on his contract and giving Gennett to PIT makes the division tougher to win. Nova isn’t enough on his own to begin with either.
bigrman
Angels should be in on him. Lefty bat would help balance the right handed dominant lineup, he would finally be the step up at 2b they’ve been looking for, and it won’t cost a prospect haul to get him.
reds fan0000
Would a gennett for joc pederson trade make sense? Seems to fit for both teams..
bigrman
I think that would be an overpay by the Dodgers since they would probably use Scooter in a platoon. I would rather see the Joc used in a deal for Kluber. I’m a dodgers fan and like the adjustments he’s made in his approach, but I would try to move him, verdugo, and Brock Stewart for kluber.
bigrman
I think that would be an overpay for Scooter given the amount of team control they both have. As a Dodgers fan I would rather see Joc in a deal for Kluber… him, verdugo, and Brock Stewart,maybe a low level minor league pitcher tossed in too should get it done.
redsfan48
Probably an incredible overpay by the Dodgers but I’m sure the Reds would jump all over that if the Dodgers proposed it
dust44
Scooter and Jeter Downs for Gray, Acevedo, and Stephen Tarpey…
DannyP
I think Gennett would be a great fit for the A’s to replace Lowrie. Maybe a Dustin Fowler for Gennett swap could work?
RedRooster
Hope the Reds hit on that comp pick they get for him next year then.
Robertowannabe
All it means is they might not move him how but may well move him at the deadline. May not be offered so much now with so many options available at the position. May well get a better offer closer to the trade deadline when injuries are occurring and someone really needs a 2b.
RedRooster
Not gonna get more at the deadline when he only has 2 months of control and can’t be QO’d
Robertowannabe
They may not be getting many offers at all right now. It may pick up as spring training starts and may get more if a team is in contention and loses their 2nd baseman and they overpay based on today’s offers but not have to pay as much as others available that have years of control left if they only want a good 2b for the rest of the season. Teams do crazy things at the deadline sometimes.
andrewgauldin
4 years 60 Million extension. Too much or too little?
redsfan48
Too light in terms of both years and AAV. I’m thinking it takes 5 years at $17-18M per
Nevrfolow
Send bumgarner, Rodriguez and Chris Shaw to Cincy for Nick senzel
its_happening
I’ve asked Reds fans in other posts regarding the Reds what to do with Senzel if you keep Scooter. Didn’t like the answers. Fact is, Reds can only contend in 2019 if they outhit everyone. That’s a tall task. More than likely the Reds aren’t winning 90+ games. Assuming that is true, deal Gennett. Winning in 2020 isn’t out of the question for Cincy.
Bryan
Exactly. Scooter young enough to be around for a rebuild and contention in a few years. But if he is not going to resign at a price reds like then move him ASAP instead of holding onto played like Zach, Billy, and other (Harvey) and end up getting basically nothing for them. Reds FO is one of the strangest in baseball to say the least.
redsfan48
If Senzel can play CF, keep Gennett and win now. If he can’t, then trade Gennett, preferably for ML or close to ML ready pitching. Senzel in CF is the key though.
aadreani421
How about Gennett to the Cubs for Quintana and maybe a decent prospect?
redsfan48
If the Cubs would even do Quintana straight-up for Scooter I think the Reds would at least entertain the thought. Quintana >>> Sonny Gray