Finders Keepers

[Dave C]

I think the economics at the MLB level will force moves for guys like India, Stephenson and even Steer along to make way for the cheaper AA and A group. I'm not seeing ownership investing in more than 2 pitchers and 2 every day guys long term. I think India is a core leader and is as valuable in the clubhouse as he is on the field but we're not paying $20/year to 4 or or 5 guys long term who don't pitch I'd venture. My guess is that Elly and Hunter will be the only ones controlled past the pain point. We will need the marching line of players from the minors spaced out 2-4 years apart to stay relevant.

As for those who will not be doing as well next year over this. McLain isn't going to keep hitting at .340 and I think Steer may come back quite a bit too.

CES has been at or above .300 in 90% of his games in the minors and has gotten better with each promotion. With his power, in our stadium, he'd be one of the last I'd want to move. He hit in camp.... he's hit at AAA and he's shown the ability to hit to all fields with power. While I can see Marte being a solid MLB hitter he's not shown what CES is showing. The age retort is always there but birds and bushes. If it's between those 2 I'd move Marte.

To our roster this year.... I'd not hold back on moving pieces we have like Senzel, Stephenson, Barrero, Benson, Newsome, Fraley if it deepens our pen for more than 2 years. If possible, sell high on Robinson and Dunn in the minors. I'd love to see Hopkins to get a real look this year as he's shown to have a mature approach. Benson has "tools" but I like the approach by Hopkins. Barrero is interesting in center as well. Can he ever hit .260 with a little power? That's a good question.

[*BaseClogger*]

I’d try to trade Arroyo and one of the other teenage middle infielders in Daytona. That’s the organizational surplus.

[TRF]

I am not trading any of the arms - the Reds need all the homegrown quality arms they can get.

I wouldn't trade CES or Collier. Everyone else is on the table.

I'm the same mindset here. Keep all the pitching. I'd probably add Sal Stewart and the two Int'l FA signings from this year.

[Benihana]

I'm starting to get a weird feeling they're gonna trade Marte at some point in the next 12 months. Not saying I want to, but he just feels very Paul Konerko-y to me.

A great power prospect at 3B they acquired via a high profile trade that overlaps a little too much with the homegrown guys on the corners. I could see them shipping him out for an OF that fits better like they did with Konerko or even a pitching upgrade. I for one wouldn't mind trying him at RF first.

[herbdizzle]

I wouldn't trade CES or Marte from the position player side.

I wouldn't trade Petty, Phillips, Richardson or Acuna from the pitching side.

Everyone else I'd look to cobble together a package for a legit 2/3 SP. I like the idea of Cease if shooting high. Bieber as a 2nd choice with a somewhat lesser package.

Collier, Boyle and 1 of the Arizona guys would be my best offer to land a guy.

[Old school 1983]

I really wouldn’t be looking to acquire a starter via trade this season. Let the pitching develop. There are a ton of guys that are FA this off-season and the Reds will have a war chest. If the Reds do sneak into the playoffs this year I’d put a healthy Greene and Lodolo up against anyone. Abbott may fall into that group once we have more info. I’d even be willing to give Williamson a playoff start against the right lineup. The easiest way to improve the team that won’t cost a ton is to strengthen the pen. Another lefty is sorely needed. As is a setup man. I think Senzel could be prime trade bait for those pieces to me.

[*BaseClogger*]

I agree with the general sentiment that the Reds should try augment the roster via free agency as much as possible since they should have a lot of available budget and FAs don't cost any prospects. But realistically, even with how well things are going from the player development side, there will still be a lot of holes to fill this offseason because the Reds have about half the spots filled on the pitching staff you'd like to see on a contender. They also have a lot of redundancy on the position player side so a trade to stir up their positional mix also makes sense. There won't be an ideal FA for all these needs and some trades must occur.

[Bourgeois Zee]

But realistically, even with how well things are going from the player development side, there will still be a lot of holes to fill this offseason because the Reds have about half the spots filled on the pitching staff you'd like to see on a contender.

Greene, Lodolo, Ashcraft, and Abbott are all going to start, if healthy. Lively also has (several) options. That's adequate depth-- if you consider Williamson, Stoudt, et al., as sixth/seventh options to be stashed in AAA (along with current AA SP Phillips, Roa, Richardson, and Boyle).

In the pen, Diaz, Antone (if healthy), Salazar (who looks filthy), Young, Gibaut, Sims (maybe), Herget, and Law all have options remaining. Most of those guys have been exceptional so far this season. A whole host of young guys (Williamson, Stoudt, Santillan, Legumina, Sanmartin, Dunn, et al.) are depth pieces.

I get the need for a very good starter via free agency. I get the opinion that they might also need another relief arm.

I don't get the "many holes" argument at all.

[*BaseClogger*]

I'm not convinced any of the relief arms outside of Diaz and maybe Sims are legit. Ashcraft might be more of a swing-man. Looks like rose-colored glasses as it relates to the pitching staff.

[Brisco]

Odds say about a quarter of them will. I'd guess Senzel, Newman, Lively, likely McLain, and most of the bullpen are playing at least a little over their heads. Steer too, fwiw.

OTOH, I expect Lodolo, Greene, Stephenson, and Ashcraft to be much improved.

Is there some reason you think that the players you mention will come to earth in 2024 but NOT for the remainder of 2023? I do not care about how they have performed so far this year… any decision to go for it is based on how they will play the rest of this year.

As it stands your response is arguing that these players will play better in the coming 3 months than they will next season. Do you have anything to base this on?

[Wayne Krivsky]

This may sound odd but the one player I would really prefer not to deal is Carlos Jorge. Not a huge name and only being in A ball is going to limit his value on the trade market. Meanwhile I think having a guy like this ready to go for OD 2026 allows you to trade someone like Marte in their prime right before they get expensive in arbitration and allows you to easily restock the the farm with a few players to avoid another teardown as the current core prices themselves out of Cincinnati.

Meanwhile, Jorge should be rapidly moving up the prospect rankings at just 19 years old.

I'd also prefer not to move a Marte or CES right now, however both these players will bring back instant impact outfielders or starting pitching, so for that reason I wouldn't be too upset. It's the guy like Jorge who is too far away from the majors and most likely brings back a secondary haul.

[medford]

Is there some reason you think that the players you mention will come to earth in 2024 but NOT for the remainder of 2023? I do not care about how they have performed so far this year… any decision to go for it is based on how they will play the rest of this year.

As it stands your response is arguing that these players will play better in the coming 3 months than they will next season. Do you have anything to base this on?

Can't answer for him, but the sophomore slump is a real thing, exhibit A is J. India The reality is that nothing is promised tomorrow so if there is a deal that makes sense to be had now, I hope they explore it. There will however be several good pitchers on the FA market, if the front office is willing, they could really boost 2 spots in the rotation while counting on the youngsters to lead the offense.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Is there some reason you think that the players you mention will come to earth in 2024 but NOT for the remainder of 2023? I do not care about how they have performed so far this year… any decision to go for it is based on how they will play the rest of this year.

As it stands your response is arguing that these players will play better in the coming 3 months than they will next season. Do you have anything to base this on?

These are separate conversations, I'd argue. The Reds are currently constructed with lots of depth pieces and several young players who are enjoyed excellent seasons (so far). That said, many of their players aren't sure bets. For example, it'd be asinine to release Ian Gibaut, but it's not like Gibaut is a guy you can depend on-- at least not yet. The error bar-- on most of the players on the 40-man roster, I'd argue-- is wide. That doesn't mean you need to let them go-- it means you're probably going to have to live with that error bar until the players become more experienced.

[HokieRed]

The only player in our minor league operation that I wouild absolutely not trade is Connor Phillips.

[Mitri]

Keep Marte!

His plate approach as a 21 year-old in AA is fantastic. Even if he move two rungs down the defensive spectrum his bat will be a plus in RF. Might be the best pure bat in the system.