The Cincinnati Reds are off to a decent start and it's seemingly promising after last year's disappointing campaign. However, if they go off the rails, stars such as Johnny Cueto, Aroldis Chapman and Jay Bruce could be involved in trade talks once the deadline rolls around.
Rumors surrounding Johnny Cueto have been plentiful, considering he's in the final year of his contract with the Reds and is reportedly seeking a $200 million deal, which Cincinnati likely can't afford because they have a number of other costly contracts on the books. Cueto noted the Reds did not make him an offer before his self-imposed deadline on Opening Day.
So while that's old news, some newer rumors suggest the team could deal closer Aroldis Chapman depending on how they're performing come July.
ESPN Insiders Eric Karabell and David Schoenfield discussed the topic on Wednesday after the scenario was proposed by fellow ESPN colleague Dan Szymborski.
"Is that really a good idea?" asked Schoenfield.
"Well, right now I think the Reds are kind of contenders," said Karabell. "I know it's only one week, but I thought the Reds all along had an offense that was going to hit. Billy Hamilton looks great. Joey Votto looks great. This is not quite like the Atlanta Braves, when they traded Craig Kimbrel right before Opening Day. To me, the Reds can still contend ... but if they fall out of the race come July, Chapman should be traded. You can always find somebody to close games."
"The Reds can trade a lot of guys," Karabell continued after Schoenfield proposed the idea of trading Cueto. "They can trade Mike Leake, Jay Bruce, [Brandon] Phillips. I think what it comes down to is that teams who are out of the race come July should be moving players."
Like Cueto, Leake will be a free agent when the season ends. Cincinnati already traded impending free-agent starters Alfredo Simon and Mat Latos during the offseason and that may continue if they aren't in a good enough position to contend for at least a wild card spot. As for Chapman, Bruce and Phillips, here are the breakdowns of their contracts below:
Chapman: $8,050,000 salary for 2015; arbitration-eligible in 2016; free agent in 2017
Bruce: $12 million salary for 2015; $12.5 million salary for 2016; $13 million team option or $1 million buyout for 2017; free agent in 2017 if team declines option
Phillips: $12 million salary for 2015; $13 million salary for 2016; $14 million salary for 2017; free agent in 2018
Chapman is one of the top closers in the game, so the Reds shouldn't have a problem trading him. On the other hand, Bruce and Phillips had down years in 2014 because of injuries and they'll need to perform better during the first half of 2015 if the Reds want a decent shot of getting a solid return for either of them in a deal.
However, at this point, all we can do is wait.
