Reds Trade And Free Agent Rumours 2023-24 Offseason

Official Reds minor league free agency transactions from yesterday:

27 Reds farmhands become minor league free agents (they join a list of ~750 others from across the pro baseball land)

Louisville (10):
11/06/23 RHP Ben Lively elected free agency.
11/06/23 RHP Ryan Nutof elected free agency.
11/06/23 RHP Ryan Meisinger elected free agency.
11/06/23 3B Jason Vosler elected free agency.
11/06/23 C Chuckie Robinson elected free agency.
11/06/23 RHP Teddy Stankiewicz elected free agency.
11/06/23 RHP Eduardo Salazar elected free agency.
11/06/23 RHP Ricky Karcher elected free agency.
11/06/23 RHP Zack Brown elected free agency.
11/06/23 C Jhonny Pereda elected free agency.

Chattanooga (4):
11/06/23 RHP Manuel Cachutt elected free agency.
11/06/23 RHP Danis Correa elected free agency.
11/06/23 RHP Mac Sceroler elected free agency.
11/06/23 LHP Jayvien Sandridge elected free agency.

Dayton (1):
11/06/23 SS Steven Leyton elected free agency.

Daytona (1):
11/06/23 RHP Frainger Aranguren elected free agency.

That's in addition to the previously announced minor league free agency moves for Article XX-D/XIX-A/Rule 9 players after the season ended...

Louisville (11):
10/26/23 RHP Vladimir Gutierrez elected free agency.
10/12/23 RHP Alan Busenitz elected free agency.
10/11/23 RHP Justin Dunn elected free agency.
10/10/23 RHP Silvino Bracho elected free agency.
10/10/23 RF Henry Ramos elected free agency.
10/10/23 RHP Brett Kennedy elected free agency.
10/03/23 RHP Kevin Herget elected free agency.
10/02/23 RHP Alec Mills elected free agency.
10/02/23 RHP Michael Mariot elected free agency.
10/02/23 2B Alejo Lopez elected free agency.
10/02/23 3B Matt Reynolds elected free agency.


*All players that were on minor league 60-Day Injured Lists have been reinstated to their respective reserve rosters.
NOTE: Beginning at 5 PM (Eastern) on November 6th, 2023, the Domestic Reserve List limit will be 175 during the off-season up until MLB Opening Day, and then 165 beginning on 2024 MLB Opening Day up until 5 PM (Eastern) on the 5th day after the final game of the 2024 World Series. In addition, an MLB organization may carry no more than 35 players on its International Reserve List (if the MLB club has only one DSL Affiliate) or no more than 70 players (if the MLB club has two DSL affiliates).

There are 4 Reds farmhands names missing from that list who were eligible for free agency,

RHSP Tony Santillan (whose re-signing to a new MiLB deal has already been announced)
the other three are
LHRP Jacob Heatherly, RHRP Connor Overton, and SS Miguel Hernandez (it's not verified as of yet, but I assume they've also been re-signed to a 2024 MiLB deal with the Reds).

EDIT:

Just as I was done posting, Heatherly re-signing to a new Reds MiLB deal was confirmed. Still no word on Overton or Hernandez, but I assume it's safe to presume their re-signing as well. Overton had TJS in May.

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Originally Posted by LeatherPants

Ben Lively is officially a free agent.

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NOOOOOoooooooOOOOOOOoooooo

That's it. Fire Krall. Fire everybody.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RedTeamGo!

NOOOOOoooooooOOOOOOOoooooo

That's it. Fire Krall. Fire everybody.

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Lively didn't even get his farewell tour :( :lol:

MLB rumors: Joey Votto has interest from hometown Blue Jays

Quote:

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Jays interested in Votto
The Reds recently cut ties with first baseman Joey Votto, one of the greatest players in franchise history. It remains to be seen whether the 40-year-old Votto will retire or opt to continue his career elsewhere.

If he does decide to keep going, then a proper capstone to his great career might be turn with his hometown Toronto Blue Jays. Speaking of which, there's at least of modicum of interest on the team side:

Ben Nicholson-Smith
@bnicholsonsmith

When asked about Joey Votto, Ross Atkins was full of praise for his hitting ability & character. Blue Jays have done background work on Votto as a trade candidate over the yrs. They now have some interest in him as a free agent. Some industry observers view Votto as a fit for TOR
6:45 PM · Nov 7, 2023

The Toronto native is hardly a middle-of-the-order force anymore, but his on-base chops and lefty pop make him a useful down-roster presence, provided he can stay healthy. As final tours go, this would be a fitting one for both player and club.

Reds' Jonathan India a popular trade target

Multiple teams have inquired about Reds infielder Jonathan India during the annual general manager meetings, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

India, 26, won the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year Award. He's a career .255/.350/.419 hitter (105 OPS+) with 48 home runs and 5.1 Wins Above Replacement.
The Reds have an assortment of other young infielders, including Elly De La Cruz and Noelvi Marte, allowing them the opportunity to listen on India -- even if they aren't necessarily motivated to move him.

This year's free-agent crop is lacking with respect to good infielders. As such, expect India to remain a popular trade target well into the winter.

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https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/m...ery-joey-votto

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WildcatFan

The Athletic published its top 40 free agent list with contract predictions and best team fits: https://theathletic.com/5029170/2023...ents-mlb-list/

For the Reds, they have:

7. Sonny Gray, 3/$72m
15. Lucas Giolito, 4/$70m
17. Michael Wacha, 3/$36m
18. Seth Lugo, 2/$26m
32. Mike Clevinger, 2/$22m
36. Aroldis Chapman, 1/$12m

Weird that they didn't see a single corner outfielder fitting in Cincinnati.

Of those options at the predicted contracts, I'd jump on Gray, Wacha, and Chapman in a heartbeat.

They also predict Lourdes Gurriel Jr. getting 4/$56m. That seems very reasonable.

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It's crazy talk, but sign me up for Gray, Wacha (or Lugo), and Chapman.

Hector Neris is a yes please as well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tom Servo

Jon Morosi
@jonmorosi

Jonathan India is a popular name among execs at the @MLB GM Meetings. Multiple teams have inquired to the Reds about his availability.

Reds will listen to offers due to their position-player depth, but they value India highly and aren't motivated to move him.

@MLBNetwork

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While I totally get the rational behind trading India and deploying EDLC and McLain up the middle, don't really see a surplus of position players unless they bring in an everyday corner OF.

None of Friedl, Benson, or Fraley have shown that they are 150 game players, so there is plenty of playing time to be had in the OF for a Steer or whomever. Steer could get a full season of AB's in the UTL role he was in last year.

So that leaves CES, India, McLain, Marte, and EDLC for the 4 IF spots and DH, Steer is the floater, and they probably need another RHH OF to compliment Fraley and co even if they keep everyone.

TLDR, I am not against trading India, but they would need to get another everyday player, probably in the OF, to make it work.

If they do bring back Votto that would free India for trade.

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Originally Posted by CaiGuy

While I totally get the rational behind trading India and deploying EDLC and McLain up the middle, don't really see a surplus of position players unless they bring in an everyday corner OF.

None of Friedl, Benson, or Fraley have shown that they are 150 game players, so there is plenty of playing time to be had in the OF for a Steer or whomever. Steer could get a full season of AB's in the UTL role he was in last year.

So that leaves CES, India, McLain, Marte, and EDLC for the 4 IF spots and DH, Steer is the floater, and they probably need another RHH OF to compliment Fraley and co even if they keep everyone.

TLDR, I am not against trading India, but they would need to get another everyday player, probably in the OF, to make it work.

If they do bring back Votto that would free India for trade.

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India could get ample playing time in a rotation or as an injury fill in. But with an IF of CES, McLain, EDLC and Marte, and with Steer as main utility man/DH, India would not have a regular position.

That’s fine if Reds and India are happy with him in utility or rotating spot. As I said, he could get ample playing time that way. But the basic fact is that there are four infield positions and four good young starting infielders already on the team.

I like what India adds to the offense. But they need to improve run prevention, pitching and defense, and I’d move India if it’ll help meaningfully in those areas.

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Originally Posted by CaiGuy

While I totally get the rational behind trading India and deploying EDLC and McLain up the middle, don't really see a surplus of position players unless they bring in an everyday corner OF.

None of Friedl, Benson, or Fraley have shown that they are 150 game players, so there is plenty of playing time to be had in the OF for a Steer or whomever. Steer could get a full season of AB's in the UTL role he was in last year.

So that leaves CES, India, McLain, Marte, and EDLC for the 4 IF spots and DH, Steer is the floater, and they probably need another RHH OF to compliment Fraley and co even if they keep everyone.

TLDR, I am not against trading India, but they would need to get another everyday player, probably in the OF, to make it work.

If they do bring back Votto that would free India for trade.

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I'd deal India and line it up like this:

Stephenson, Maile C
CES 1B
McLain 2B
EDLC SS
Marte 3B
Steer LF
Friedl CF
Fraley RF (Need a RH Platoon bat)
Benson DH (Need a RH Platoon Bat - Maybe Stephenson gets PAs here against LHP with Maile behind the plate)

I really think they should bring back Senzel to platoon with Fraley in RF and he could be a reserve IF as well. I think Blake Dunn, Jacob Hurtubise and Rece Hinds may be guys to address the OF depth as soon as June. Especially Dunn. Removing India vastly improves the team defense and should reduce wear and tear on the bullpen. I'd be fine getting an end of the bench glove who can play MI to give EDLC and McLain a rest when needed. A significant way to address the pitching problems is to keep guys like India and Steer out of the MI defense. Converting more outs than they do should lead to starters lasting longer and less usage of the bullpen. The MI is the primary problem in this team's defense (except maybe catcher when the anti-framer Stephenson plays). If McLain or EDLC goes down, I really don't want to see India in there playing 2nd base anyway. Once the shift ended, they couldn't hide him in short RF any longer and he needs a new position. There really isn't one in Cincinnati.

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Originally Posted by mth123

I'd deal India and line it up like this:

Stephenson, Maile C
CES 1B
McLain 2B
EDLC SS
Marte 3B
Steer LF
Friedl CF
Fraley RF (Need a RH Platoon bat)
Benson DH (Need a RH Platoon Bat - Maybe Stephenson gets PAs here against LHP with Maile behind the plate)

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Interesting.

I like that lineup for the most part, but believe Steer's a (far) worse OF than Benson. I like Steer's bat as the platoon mate for Fraley, as the infield backup (with McClain, CES, and EDLC switching positions around him), and as part-time DH. I'd love to see the Reds acquire a RH to platoon with Benson as well, though that's far down on my list of worries. IMO, Hopkins and Fairchild are adequate backups with fringe skills that help a team win. (Hopkins' sprint speed is in the 89th percentile, for example, and he can play CF. Fairchild's a very good defender across all three OF spots. He has a very good arm (according to Statcast) and is in the 92nd percentile in spring speed. He also takes a walk and doesn't chase many pitches.)

Better by far to add money and target pitching-- at least one shut-down reliever (perhaps two) and at least one TOR SP (and maybe a MOR guy as well).

I'd also look, if possible, to upgrade LF with an All-Star level impact bat. A Fraley/ India/ Williamson/ prospect quartet is a massive haul for a team that has expensive talent. Benson could then move to RF, with Steer as his platoon mate.

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Originally Posted by Bourgeois Zee

Interesting.

I like that lineup for the most part, but believe Steer's a (far) worse OF than Benson. I like Steer's bat as the platoon mate for Fraley, as the infield backup (with McClain, CES, and EDLC switching positions around him), and as part-time DH. I'd love to see the Reds acquire a RH to platoon with Benson as well, though that's far down on my list of worries. IMO, Hopkins and Fairchild are adequate backups with fringe skills that help a team win. (Hopkins' sprint speed is in the 89th percentile, for example, and he can play CF. Fairchild's a very good defender across all three OF spots. He has a very good arm (according to Statcast) and is in the 92nd percentile in spring speed. He also takes a walk and doesn't chase many pitches.)

Better by far to add money and target pitching-- at least one shut-down reliever (perhaps two) and at least one TOR SP (and maybe a MOR guy as well).

I'd also look, if possible, to upgrade LF with an All-Star level impact bat. A Fraley/ India/ Williamson/ prospect quartet is a massive haul for a team that has expensive talent. Benson could then move to RF, with Steer as his platoon mate.

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I think Benson may be slightly better now, but he's been playing OF all his life and still breaks the wrong way and takes bad routes the majority of the time. I don't see him getting any better defensively at this point. Stick Steer in LF and leave him alone and I think he will prove to be an above average LF who is arguably the team's best hitter. I like Steer a lot at 1B, but I think he has more potential in the OF than CES, so it's Steer in LF and CES at 1B. I don't really like Steer as a defender at 2B or 3B, so I'd stick him in LF for the sake of the IF defense.

The IF back-up needs to play better defense than Steer or India. Senzel could be that guy if he stays around, (I realize he's an automatic out against RHP, but they need somebody who can play solid defense at those positions and that isn't Steer or India IMO).

I think the Reds need better than Hopkins - and Fairchild is a last man on the bench guy for me. Fairchild is a fine bench player, but he's strictly a bench guy and with roster spots limited, he gets a spot only if all the other needs are filled. They have a lot of struggles against LHP. ELDC, CES and Marte all struggled against it. India is poor there. Fraley and Benson are not usable. Against LHP, the line-up goes 5 deep with Friedl, Steer, McLain, Stephenson and Maile (if they are both in there). I believe CES and Marte will eventually kill lefties, but they haven't yet, so I'd want at least one lefty killer to play out there in the OF when Benson and Fraley sit, and I don't think that is Fairchild. Right now, they still have Senzel, and I'd be fine with him platooning in RF and playing as a back-up in the IF on occasion, but I suspect he's a non-tender and probably not back. They also need a LH bat for the bench and that will take a roster spot which makes me wonder if they have room for Fairchild, who I would like to keep as a bench player.

I agree that Pitching is the primary Target. I'd want a starter who is better than anyone they have at this point and they should pay for it. A late inning reliever, preferably a lefty but anyone who can shut guys down will do, would also be on my list ahead of any position guys.

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Originally Posted by Kc61

India could get ample playing time in a rotation or as an injury fill in. But with an IF of CES, McLain, EDLC and Marte, and with Steer as main utility man/DH, India would not have a regular position.

That’s fine if Reds and India are happy with him in utility or rotating spot. As I said, he could get ample playing time that way. But the basic fact is that there are four infield positions and four good young starting infielders already on the team.

I like what India adds to the offense. But they need to improve run prevention, pitching and defense, and I’d move India if it’ll help meaningfully in those areas.

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I agree. If India is in high demand as the rumors imply, this is the offseason to move him.
If they reduce him down to a floating utility man, his value more likely to go down.
Again, this assumes India will return something useful in a trade. OBviously, the Reds shouldn't give him away, as he does have value as a Red, even if he doesn't start. I don't want to start a debate about how much value, but obviously , India is more valuable than nothing. I'd hate to see India traded for a prospect that's 2-4 years away too, since I'd like them to try to win now.

One good reason for moving India (and Fraley, for that matter) is the dearth of quality bats available on the free agent market.

India is in the Kyle Farmer chair minus positional flexibility. If Arroyo shows he isn’t ready for mlb then move India for what we can, find a Josh Harrison/D’Angelo Jimenez who can cover multiple positions and not be a complete black hole with the bat. I still expect Steer to see more time in LF than infield to fill the role. If Arroyo tears the cover off mlb pitchers you tell the 5 of them (Arroyo, CES, EDLC, McLain, and Marte) that you are the everyday inf/dh work it out. If they need a “real day off” enter Steer for the day or Stephenson as dh.

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Originally Posted by Slyder

India is in the Kyle Farmer chair minus positional flexibility. If Arroyo shows he isn’t ready for mlb then move India for what we can, find a Josh Harrison/D’Angelo Jimenez who can cover multiple positions and not be a complete black hole with the bat. I still expect Steer to see more time in LF than infield to fill the role. If Arroyo tears the cover off mlb pitchers you tell the 5 of them (Arroyo, CES, EDLC, McLain, and Marte) that you are the everyday inf/dh work it out. If they need a “real day off” enter Steer for the day or Stephenson as dh.

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Arroyo? Edwin Arroyo? The 19-year-old who will start the season in AA?