Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians are having discussions about Reds’ third baseman Todd Frazier.
The #Indians and #Reds are in discussions about 3B Todd Frazier
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 9, 2015
Any details about a potential deal are unknown at this time, and the talks appear to be in the very preliminary stages. The Indians are known to be shopping starting pitching after preliminary talks with the Diamondbacks fell through following Arizona’s trade for Shelby Miller.
#Dbacks never got far down road with #Indians in talks for Carrasco or Salazar.
— Anthony Castrovince (@castrovince) December 9, 2015
The Reds are known to be shopping some of its better talent in an attempt to compile younger assets following the trades of Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake last season. The Reds were reported to have been in talks with the Texas Rangers about a trade of Frazier (to play LF), but talks did not go far. A trade of Aroldis Chapman earlier in the week ultimately fell through due to a domestic abuse investigation.
A trade could involve Indians prospects such as outfielders Bradley Zimmer or Clint Frazier, or could be centered around starting pitching that Cleveland is shopping, including Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar or Trevor Bauer.
Mark Sheldon, Reds’ reporter for MLB.com, suggests that the teams fit well because of Cleveland’s OF prospects (Zimmer, Frazier, etc.).
#reds & #indians in talks about Frazier, @BNightengale reported. Makes sense for both clubs. CLE needs 3B not much $; has OF prospects
— Mark Sheldon (@m_sheldon) December 9, 2015
This would be logical trade targets of Cincinnati after they are rumored to be asking for the Chicago White Sox’ No. 1 prospect, SS Tim Anderson, in a deal for Frazier.
Source: Reds have asked White Sox for No. 1 prospect Tin Anderson in talks regarding Todd Frazier. Seems an unlikely match. #Reds WhiteSox
— Phil Rogers (@philgrogers) December 9, 2015
Todd Frazier, 29, is coming off a 35-HR, 89-RBI season — good for his second consecutive All-Star appearance. Frazier cooled off significantly in the second half, hitting just .220 with 10 HR after swatting 25 HR and and hitting .284 in the first half.
Will the Reds make any moves? It appears that they think the players they have on the trade block are better than what other teams think. The Reds are asking way too much for their players and may be the odd ones out of the trade market. I still think they had more value at the trade deadline then they have now. Has anyone heard which two players were involved from the Dodgers in the botched Chapman trade?