Printable View
I'd do that as fast as you could say Tyler Stephenson. It would be a massive upgrade to the defense and Farmer is a solid option for 5th IF and adds needed ability to hit against LHP. Then deal India for prospects and the team's two worst defenders are out of the picture.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bourgeois Zee
I don't think it is either, but you can never tell by looking. The Reds have had enough bad injury luck that I don't believe it's OK until we know it's OK.Quote:
Originally Posted by westofyou
I have no problem trading Stephenson, but I think he’s about to turn the corner offensively, so I would want more than an expensive backup catcher and a relief pitcher.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bourgeois Zee
The Reds already have a strong defensive catcher in Maile, so I would focus on getting a more offensive minded catcher to pair with him, or a cheap backup and make Maile the starting catcher.
Funderburk looks interesting, but I could think of better ways for the Reds to spend 17 million than on Vazquez and Farmer. The only way they need Farmer is if India gets traded. Vazquez could be an interesting target, but the Twins would have to pick up some of that $ or throw in a guy like Funderburk as you mentioned to sweeten the deal. I could see Stephenson for Vazquez and Funderburk making sense for the Reds.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bourgeois Zee
So you are suggesting trading a 3 win player for three 1 win players. I wonder where I heard that strategy before? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Bourgeois Zee
Stephenson was a 2 win player in 2021, 1.6 wins in 2022 and -0.7 wins in 2023. The defense needs a massive upgrade and getting Stephenson out of the Catching situation is one of the quickest ways to do it. He's never been a 3 win player.Quote:
Originally Posted by 757690
If the Reds keep Stephenson, I'd make him the DH against LHP and the back-up Catcher (about 35 starts) against RHP. Maile would be the primary Catcher. Farmer adds needed punch against LHP and is a solid defensive back-up IF who can play for long stretches in the event of injury. That would allow the Reds to address its two other worst defensive issues, Jonathan India who would be dealt for the best prospect you could get for him and Spencer Steer who would no longer be needed as a 2nd base back-up. I'd estimate that getting Stephenson and India off of the field defensively woould improve the team's runs alowed by about 20 runs.
I kind of agree that Stephenson looks like he may take a step forward on offense, but I'd only want to do that in the role I described above.
Nope. Wrong again.Quote:
Originally Posted by 757690
I'm suggesting trading Stephenson (a 0.7 bWAR player) for Farmer (1.7 bWAR), Funderburk (0.8 bWAR in only 11 games), and Vazquez (0.3 bWAR). That nets the Reds about two extra wins-- which works at the margins.
I would do that trade for sure. Vasquez is the sort of player who could take over a young clubhouse, and his defense would help the pitchers as well.
Stephenson a 3-win player? LOL.
Not sure I need Kyle Farmer back unless India is traded away. But I like the idea of swapping Vasquez for Stephenson.
It was a joke. Relax Francis.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bourgeois Zee
What does Vasquez bring that Maile doesn’t?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mitri
But that wasn’t your point. Your post stated it’s be Martes replacement, meaning starter as the way I read it. If you meant just a roster spot then sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by Falls City Beer
It's not Vazquez for Maile. It's Vazquez for Stephenson. The answer is competent defense, which too many people here think is of no consequence. Solid defense is foundational. Vazquez backing up Maile vastly improves this team's defense and I'd guess will take heat off of this young staff who throw a number of extra pitches because of how Stephenson's poor receiving ability costs them strikes.Quote:
Originally Posted by 757690
I agree on the value of a good defensive catcher.Quote:
Originally Posted by mth123
Good defensive catchers who can’t hit are cheap and easy to find. No need to trade Stephenson and add $10M to the payroll to get one.
But it also adds Farmer who further helps by adding a real 5th IF instead of additional poor defensive options like India or Steer and a promising bullpen option.Quote:
Originally Posted by 757690
I'd be cool adding a free agent defensive back-up behind Maile (not Casali who I liked until watching him look done last year) and keeping Stephenson as the DH against LHP, but that is really making the roster crowded. I kind of agree that Stephenson might take a step forward on offense. In the event of injury, Stephenson could be full-time DH and Benson and Steer could be used to fill in for the injured player (as long as it doesn't involve Benson in CF or Steer in the MI).
If the Twins are cutting payroll, the Reds should be able to pick up both Vasquez and Farmer for fringe minor leaguers. They are decent targets, but no need to trade Stephenson to get them, even if a reliever is thrown in.