The Cincinnati Reds are coming off an upsetting season. The team finished 76-86, 10 games below .500. Besides the fact that they finished fourth in their division, a few players stood out this year, one of them being Todd Frazier. The 28-year old hit .273, with 29 HR, and 80 RBI. This past season was Frazier’s best, from him being an All-Star, and his contribution on the field, Todd Frazier was an absolute force.
Another player that stood out is Johnny Cueto. The strong right-hander went 20-9, posting an ERA of 2.25, with 34 appearances. Cueto, 28, making his first All-Star game, made history for the Reds on September 28th, 2014, becoming the first Cincinnati Reds’ player to achieve 20 or more victories in a season since Danny Jackson in 1988.
The Reds are currently in a predicament entering this offseason. Four out of five of their starting pitchers are entering their free agent years; they are Johnny Cueto, Alfredo Simon, Mike Leake, and Mat Latos.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Reds are considering lowering their payroll by trading top position players, including slugging outfielder Jay Bruce and others.
The Reds also need another bat in that lineup to go along with Votto, Frazier, and Bruce. Players like Yoenis Cespedes or Justin Upton would be fantastic additions to that lineup that needs help. Trading Mat Latos in my opinion, is their best option at this point. The right-hander only started 16 games last season, going 5-5, with an ERA of 3.25, he’s on and off the DL and would bring a couple of prospects or one great player back in return.
Whatever the Reds do, they just have to keep in mind that Cueto is their ace, and that trading him isn’t the best of ideas.
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