KC's discussion about balancing the 40-man roster with another infielder (or two) got me to thinking. What under-the-radar Red would I target as an opposing team if I wanted cheap help? He'd have to be available, and I'd have to have a plan for him on my team. I'd also not want to give up much of anything to acquire him. In short, if I'm dumpster diving the Reds, who am I targeting?
My picks:
Scott Schebler
The deepest of deep cuts, Schebler's pretty much been forgotten in the Queen City. And after last April, who can blame you? Still, he's shown over his career that he's a solid second-division OF capable of hitting 30+ HR and delivering solid if unspectacular defense in all three OF spots. He's way down the depth chart-- 8th or 9th among OF-- so he's definitely available and likely for cheap. Kansas City, Pittsburgh, and Detroit could all use him. Miami might also be interested.
Aristides Aquino
Another talented OF who's dropped down the pecking order, Aquino burst onto the scene with a massive month, then floundered before righting the ship (kind of). He's cheap, controllable and has an option remaining. He also has 70 power and a 70 arm (at least) in RF. He might also have 70 speed (at least as measured by Statcast). At best, he'll play some OF behind Castellanos and some combination of three or four others, so he's good and blocked. Aquino will get you 40 HR in a season if you give him a spot. It might come with a .217 BA and a .270 OBP. It will probably come with very good defense too. That has some value. Seattle and the aforementioned Kansas City and Detroit should be willing to gamble on that power playing. Baltimore should be calling everyday to see if he's available.
Sal Romano
Out of options and hasn't been as effective as his pure stuff suggests he should. Romano needs major league innings to see what's there, but is unlikely to break through a bevy of similar arms in Cincinnati. He's cheap and controllable. He can dial it up to the mid-90's often. He looks to be a workhorse who can provide innings. As a 5th starter, he can save a bullpen. And he might end up much better. High upside. The Giants and Seattle could use him. So could Baltimore.
Tyler Mahle
Speaking of upside, I almost didn't include Mahle on my list due to value as the 6th starter. Still, he's likely ticketed for Louisville (unless Bell, Williams, Johnson, and company decide they'd like him to play the Colin McHugh role). Great minor league numbers, solid peripherals auger well for improvement if given the rope. It'd take a bit, I'd think, to pry him from Williams. Toronto, Seattle, Pittsburgh, and Milwaukee could use him right now. So could Boston. Pretty much everyone except LA, the New York teams, Houston, Cleveland, and Washington could.
Lucas Sims
Another out of options guy who can split time between the pen and the rotation, Sims has elite swing and miss stuff and some control problems to match. A larger park (Miami, San Francisco, Seattle) could contain some of his mistakes and perhaps put him on the path to a MOR guy. The Reds are likely to keep him in relief, so they'd need a solid offer. Still, there's more there that he's capable of, and he's slumming it in the long man role. He'd be of interest to just about every team in baseball, I'd imagine, but of particular interest to the Mets, Padres, and White Sox.
Cody Reed
The last of the out of options crew who hasn't established himself in a full-time role, Reed was injured after being converted full-time to the pen last year. He showed some promise in both AAA and in his short time in the majors. Great stuff, he could also be an option as a LH starter if you're willing to develop and stick with him there. Reds would probably need a LOOGY coming back for him, as they have only Amir Garrett and Josh D. Smith on the 40-man. Everyone would be interested in Reed, even the big spenders.
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Originally Posted by Edd Roush
