Prior to the MLB Winter Meetings the Cincinnati Reds' offseason plans were unclear. Is their roster good enough to contend? If the front office didn't think so, would they conduct a fire sale and trade everyone? They did make a few trades yesterday, but they were perhaps to make room financially for other moves.
Cincinnati traded starter Mat Latos to the Miami Marlins for minor leaguers Anthony Desclafani and Chad Wallach. The right-hander spent the last three seasons with the Reds and is now in his third year of arbitration eligibility after earning $7.25 million last season. He's certainly due for a raise, which probably relieved the Reds of about $10 million or so for 2015.
Similarly, the team traded right-hander Alfredo Simon to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for shortstop Eugenio Suarez and minor league pitcher Jonathon Crawford. Simon, who saw much success in his first season as a full-time starter, is also in his third year of arbitration eligibility and is due for a raise up from his $1.5 million salary in 2014. Simon went 15-10 with a 3.44 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 32 starts for the Reds.
John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes the Reds saved about $15 million in payroll for 2015 with those moves. Although general manager Walt Jocketty says the team's goal was to reduce payroll, might the team be pursuing outfielder Justin Upton in a trade with the Atlanta Braves? Upton is owed $14.5 million for 2015 before he becomes a free agent and the Reds are in need of a left fielder. They now have the money and resources to acquire Upton, and if he's in a lineup with Billy Hamilton, Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce, Todd Frazier and others, it's a no-brainer he'll help significantly improve their offensive production.
Additionally, the NL Central has emerged as one of the top divisions in baseball especially with the up-and-coming Chicago Cubs. If the Reds were to tear it all down and rebuild, they would undoubtedly put themselves in the basement of the division, which isn't yet necessary since they have the pieces to become a contender. Joey Votto is still one of the best hitters in the league; Brandon Phillips is still one of the most talented second basemen; Todd Frazier and Jay Bruce are very much established power-hitters; Billy Hamilton has the potential to become a top leadoff hitter; Johnny Cueto is a top starting pitcher and; Aroldis Chapman is perhaps the game's best closer.
Their only voids are in left field and arguably shortstop. A.J. Mass of ESPN writes the Reds could trade shortstop Zack Cozart for starting pitcher Dillon Gee of the New York Mets. The Mets are looking to upgrade at the position, but Cozart wouldn't be a big change from the 23-year-old Wilmer Flores. However, if such a trade were to occur, the Reds could put Eugenio Suarez at short and add another starter.
But Gee would probably put a dent in their $15 million savings because he's in his second year of arbitration eligibility. They can still move forward with Cueto, Homer Bailey, Mike Leake, Tony Cingrani and DeSclafani in the starting rotation. So at this point, all signs are pointing to acquiring Justin Upton to play left field for 2015 and possibly beyond.
Cincinnati is just two years removed from an NL Central title. Will they look to get back on top?
