Coming to grips with the recent Reds trades

If you didn’t know, the Cincinnati Reds made two trades last week. In both trades they got rid of a starting pitcher. One of the pitchers the whole fan base loved (Mat Latos) and the other pitcher we liked, but we didn’t cry over the spilled milk (Alfredo Simon).

Trades:

Cincinnati Reds receive:

SS Eugenio Suarez

SP Jonathan Crawford (Minors)

Detroit Tigers receive:

SP Alfredo Simon

Cincinnati Reds receive:

SP Anthony DeSclafani

C Chad Wallach (Minors)

Miami Marlins receive:

SP Mat Latos

The trade with the Tigers honestly seems like a steal to me, because I think Simon had a one hit wonder year as a starter. After the All-Star break Simon was a shell of his first half self because he had reached his record in innings pitched in a season soon after the break. Getting a young pitcher to stash in the minors and major league ready shortstop for a guy whose calling card is being a long reliever is a steal in my book no matter how these two pan out. I wish Simon the best in Detroit, but him having another All-Star half year seems highly unlikely.

The trade with the Marlins gives me a different vibe because we all know Latos has been 1a or 1b in the rotation since he got here and we gave up the whole farm system to acquire him. Honestly we didn’t have the payroll to afford him after the year, but I still feel we could’ve gotten more for him or at least a left fielder that all Reds fans know we need. Maybe DeSclafani can be a solid bottom of the rotation guy for us this year? That remains to be seen as of now the Marlins have won this trade, but in the future it could change.

The Reds did free up some money to either try to sign Johnny Cueto long term, sign or trade for a cheaper solution in left field or just sit on the money until the trade deadline. So from that aspect I like both angles of the trade, I just wish they used Latos to get the outfielder, but hey what do I know?

Sooner than later we will see if the free money will be used to plug that major hole in the outfield. Who wouldn’t want to hit a Great American Small…. I mean Great American Ball Park?