Listen, we know it’s tough to catch up on everything happening in the baseball world each morning. There are all kinds of stories, rumors, game coverage and Vines of dudes getting hit in the beans every day. Trying to find all of it while on your way to work or sitting at your desk just isn’t easy. It’s OK, though, we’re going to do the heavy lifting for you each morning, and find the things you need to see from within the SB Nation baseball network as well as from elsewhere. Please hold your applause until the end, or at least until after you subscribe to the newsletter.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
* * *
The Reds were a mess in 2015. They finished last in the NL Central and narrowly missed a 100-loss season, and while their descent was hastened by midseason trades, it’s not like Cincinnati was close to a playoff spot before they waved the white flag. Realizing just how dire their prospects for 2016 are after an 18-43 run over the last two months of the season, they’ve decided that it’s time to listen to trade offers for everyone. And yes, “everyone” includes Jay Bruce and Aroldis Chapman.
It’s not just them, though, as Todd Frazier -- who hit 35 home runs this past summer -- could be dealt, as could Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips if the Reds can figure out how to work around their no-trade protection. Frazier is an attractive piece as a power hitter who should still be relatively cheap over his last two years of arbitration, but Votto is a game-changing hitter. He’s also under contract through 2023, though, when Votto will be 39 years old, so it’s hard to even guess as to what a trade for him would look like.
Things are bad enough, though, that the Reds might not be great again while Votto still is, so it’s at least worth looking into. Chapman is the real prize, however, the one who should bring back major pieces, and as a closer in the last year of his deal, it’s hard to imagine he’ll still be on the Reds by the time winter meetings conclude. We’ll see, though: the Reds have had a habit of pulling the trigger too late the last couple of years.
- The BBWAA announced the finalists for each award, but you have to wait until next week for the reveals to begin.
- We already know who won the Gold Gloves, though, as those were unveiled on Tuesday night.
- Jeff Samardzija is a very confusing pitcher, but he's also probably going to be a very rich one after this offseason.
- Jose Reyes' alleged domestic violence arrest is a significant test for Rob Manfred and MLB's new policies.
- This is how the Royals won The Trade, the World Series and everything else.
- Current world champion and free agent Alex Gordon would be a lovely fit in the middle of the Red Sox lineup. A disciplined contact hitter in Fenway? Give him all the money.
- The Orioles are one of the teams discussing Gordon for their outfield.
- There are other ways for the Reds to quickly rebuild, thanks to their protected first-round pick.
- Lance Lynn underwent Tommy John surgery, but the Cardinals already technically have a replacement on hand since Adam Wainwright has recovered from his own TJ. Re-signing John Lackey would help, of course.
- It's strange to see someone with the Angels' best interests in mind advocate trading Mike Trout to hasten a rebuild, but it is fun to think about.
See More:
