Which Reds pitchers (with value) would you trade for an outfielder (with value) ?

[JustaFan]

I assumed in March the Reds would have at least two starters who would complete 170 innings and the team had none who reached 150. Note: Phillies, Braves and Cards each had three

Abbott, Ashcraft, Diaz, Lodolo, Greene, Lowder, Burns, Williamson, Petty they all have value - some more than others


Assume the Reds will seek a quality outfielder thru trades rather than free agency. I offer this knowing the criticism if a traded pitcher was successful.

[savafan]

I would consider moving Diaz and looking at converting Lodolo into a closer.

[mth123]

I'd trade Chase Petty and Graham Ashcraft in a deal for a bat. You'd probably need to add Edwin Arroyo and another prospect to get a bat who is an upgrade from what is already here.

[JCM11]

From the Reds perspective I think they will be looking for a cost controlled player. Is Krall good enough to find next year's Lawrence Butler or do they go for an established MLB player?

I think Greene, Lowder, and Burns will be untouchable. I would hate to trade from MLB depth, but would consider Abbott or Lodolo for the right return if the Reds brought in a good vet SP in their place.

[herbdizzle]

The only OF trade target for me is Rooker from Oakland.

Burns would be my only untouchable.

[Kc61]

Lodolo, Petty, Ashcraft, Diaz, not going to get you a high quality outfielder/bat.

Abbott might if coupled with a top prospect.

Everyone will want Greene, Lowder, Burns.

I’d rather sign a free agent outfielder.

The trade route will be more plausible if Reds shoot for a medium level outfielder, which IMO doesn’t move the needle.

[RedsManRick]

Tough to find an OF who we'd want to acquire who would actually be available. I'd trade any SP not named Hunter Greene for Riley Greene. Would love Steven Kwan as well. But I'm not really interested in picking up some other teams 2-3 WAR type guy when we have something approximating that in house already.

If we're getting an OF, we probably should move one of India, Steer, or Candy as well (and we know Candy has no value).

[CaiGuy]

The Reds should have enough payflex to sign just about any FA OF who is willing to sign with them.

[Kc61]

The Reds should have enough payflex to sign just about any FA OF who is willing to sign with them.

I figure Soto and Santander will be too expensive. Santander is a switch hitter with 41 homers, I don’t think Reds would win the bidding on him.

But Reds should be able to get Teoscar Hernandez or Tyler O’Neill. The Dodgers have lots of outfield depth, not sure they will extend Teoscar. O’Neill has an injury history though having a career season in 2024.

Cody Bellinger plays CF but he’s been up and down in recent years. I’d gladly take him but not sure he’s worth the money. Conforto has been .718 and .729 since he joined the Giants post-injury. Not sure he moves the needle though he might benefit from GABP (v. SF stadium). Max Kepler’s offense doesn’t move the needle IMO. Winker is a strict platoon player who’s best as a DH.

Bring me Teoscar or O’Neill. I think they are reasonable choices. That move would be the centerpiece of the off-season.

[Bourgeois Zee]

I figure Soto and Santander will be too expensive. Santander is a switch hitter with 41 homers, I don’t think Reds would win the bidding on him.

But Reds should be able to get Teoscar Hernandez or Tyler O’Neill. The Dodgers have lots of outfield depth, not sure they will extend Teoscar. O’Neill has an injury history though having a career season in 2024.

Cody Bellinger plays CF but he’s been up and down in recent years. I’d gladly take him but not sure he’s worth the money. Conforto has been .718 and .729 since he joined the Giants post-injury. Not sure he moves the needle though he might benefit from GABP (v. SF stadium). Max Kepler’s offense doesn’t move the needle IMO. Winker is a strict platoon player who’s best as a DH.

Bring me Teoscar or O’Neill. I think they are reasonable choices. That move would be the centerpiece of the off-season.

I think Hernandez, O'Neill, and Bellinger are all viable choices as third tier free agent OF.

I'd also look at 1B, DH, and 3B FA.

Adding Christian Walker, Alex Bregman, or JD Martinez as well as an OF would boost the offense quite a bit, IMO. As an added bonus, Krall could then deal India, Steer, Marte, CES, Candelario, or other spare parts for prospects or pitching.

What gets interesting is if you consider a guy with serious HR pop but questionable BA-- Eugenio Suarez. Decent defender, real pop, and would be ideal in the cleanup spot in the lineup. Could also make Marte (or Candelario) available via trade.

[Kc61]

I think Hernandez, O'Neill, and Bellinger are all viable choices as third tier free agent OF.

I'd also look at 1B, DH, and 3B FA.

Adding Christian Walker, Alex Bregman, or JD Martinez as well as an OF would boost the offense quite a bit, IMO. As an added bonus, Krall could then deal India, Steer, Marte, CES, Candelario, or other spare parts for prospects or pitching.

What gets interesting is if you consider a guy with serious HR pop but questionable BA-- Eugenio Suarez. Decent defender, real pop, and would be ideal in the cleanup spot in the lineup. Could also make Marte (or Candelario) available via trade.

Here’s a template for Reds off-season. I reserve the right to change my mind tomorrow (or in an hour).

1. Teoscar or O’Neill for corner OF.

2. Keep Friedl and Fraley. Starting OF of Friedl, Fraley, FA.

3. For fourth outfielder get a defensive minded CFer. Let’s use Harrison Bader as a proxy. Could be a different name. RHH, could effectively platoon with Fraley. Also could relieve defensively in close games. A relatively cheap way to improve outfield defense.

4. Trade one of India, CES, Steer, or Candy. Guess is India. Too many guys who belong at first base/DH. Maybe get a late innings reliever in the deal. India should have some value and McLain is due to take his spot.

5. With whatever dough is left over, sign a ballpark $10 starting pitcher. Or more or less depending on budget/payroll etc.

6. Keep Espinal who is valuable. Can cover second or third if things aren’t working out.

7. Steer reverts to an everyday utility role. He might play a couple of months at third base. Espy can relieve him in late innings. Pending Marte’s return.

8. Fill in cheaply with depth guys.

[MoneyInTheBank]

Here’s a template for Reds off-season. I reserve the right to change by mind tomorrow (or in an hour).

1. Teoscar or O’Neill for corner OF.

2. Keep Friedl and Fraley. Starting OF of Friedl, Fraley, FA.

3. For fourth outfielder get a defensive minded CFer. Let’s use Harrison Bader as a proxy. Could be a different name. RHH, could effectively platoon with Fraley. Also could relieve defensively in close games. A relatively cheap way to improve outfield defense.

4. Trade one of India, CES, Steer, or Candy. Guess is India. Too many guys who belong at first base/DH. Maybe get a late innings reliever in the deal. India should have some value and McLain is due to take his spot.

5. With whatever dough is left over, sign a ballpark $10 starting pitcher. Or more or less depending on budget/payroll etc.

6. Keep Espinal who is valuable. Can cover second or third if things aren’t working out.

7. Steer reverts to an everyday utility role. He might play a couple of months at third base. Espy can relieve him in late innings. Pending Marte’s return.

8. Fill in cheaply with depth guys.

I don't mind the plan overall but #3 is probably going to cost you $10M (that's what Bader got coming off a putrid 2023) and I doubt anyone is taking $10M for a 4th OF spot, so that role would probably come from in-house with Wiemer. #5 is going to be a wildcard at that price point (which I don't mind) so it just depends on your goals with that signing.

[Kc61]

I don't mind the plan overall but #3 is probably going to cost you $10M (that's what Bader got coming off a putrid 2023) and I doubt anyone is taking $10M for a 4th OF spot, so that role would probably come from in-house with Wiemer. #5 is going to be a wildcard at that price point (which I don't mind) so it just depends on your goals with that signing.

Thanks, Bader was just a proxy name. It could be anyone. I’d prefer a vet who can hit a little (not sure Wiemer can) but the idea is to bolster CF defensively with that fourth outfielder spot. Either way, appreciate the good comment.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Here’s a template for Reds off-season. I reserve the right to change my mind tomorrow (or in an hour).

1. Teoscar or O’Neill for corner OF.

2. Keep Friedl and Fraley. Starting OF of Friedl, Fraley, FA.

3. For fourth outfielder get a defensive minded CFer. Let’s use Harrison Bader as a proxy. Could be a different name. RHH, could effectively platoon with Fraley. Also could relieve defensively in close games. A relatively cheap way to improve outfield defense.

4. Trade one of India, CES, Steer, or Candy. Guess is India. Too many guys who belong at first base/DH. Maybe get a late innings reliever in the deal. India should have some value and McLain is due to take his spot.

5. With whatever dough is left over, sign a ballpark $10 starting pitcher. Or more or less depending on budget/payroll etc.

6. Keep Espinal who is valuable. Can cover second or third if things aren’t working out.

7. Steer reverts to an everyday utility role. He might play a couple of months at third base. Espy can relieve him in late innings. Pending Marte’s return.

8. Fill in cheaply with depth guys.

Solid.

Here's mine:

1. Sign Cody Bellinger to a $50M, two-year deal to play CF.

2. Move Friedl to LF.

3. Play Fraley and Fairchild in a platoon in RF.

4. Sign Christian Walker to a two-year, $35M deal to play 1B.

5. Move India, Steer, Candelario, or CES to 3B full time.

6. Trade Marte and one or two of India, Steer, CES, or Candelario for pitching or prospects.

[VI_RedsFan]

Here’s a template for Reds off-season. I reserve the right to change my mind tomorrow (or in an hour).

1. Teoscar or O’Neill for corner OF.

2. Keep Friedl and Fraley. Starting OF of Friedl, Fraley, FA.

3. For fourth outfielder get a defensive minded CFer. Let’s use Harrison Bader as a proxy. Could be a different name. RHH, could effectively platoon with Fraley. Also could relieve defensively in close games. A relatively cheap way to improve outfield defense.

4. Trade one of India, CES, Steer, or Candy. Guess is India. Too many guys who belong at first base/DH. Maybe get a late innings reliever in the deal. India should have some value and McLain is due to take his spot.

5. With whatever dough is left over, sign a ballpark $10 starting pitcher. Or more or less depending on budget/payroll etc.

6. Keep Espinal who is valuable. Can cover second or third if things aren’t working out.

7. Steer reverts to an everyday utility role. He might play a couple of months at third base. Espy can relieve him in late innings. Pending Marte’s return.

8. Fill in cheaply with depth guys.

I hear you loud and clear re: changing your mind. I change my mind on an offseason plan just about every day, haha.

I like your ideas, though. Who would play 3B under this template? I guess potentially Marte but he’d need to improve defensively and bounce back offensively with some proof in spring training. Candy probably needs to be a DH or 1B next year if he’s not traded (very unlikely another team would take that deal on).