Cincinnati Reds need to get ready to add talent for a playoff run

With a hot start to the 2017 season, the Cincinnati Reds need to look around and see what they need to make a playoff run.

When the 2017 season started, the Cincinnati Reds were looking to showcase Zack Cozart, Scott Feldman, and Drew Storen so they could be traded to contenders.  Now three weeks into the season, the Reds are the contenders.  They need to figure out who they would need to make 2017 a playoff season.

Looking at the team right now, they need a different left handed batting right fielder.  Scott Schebler may turn his season around and Jesse Winker could return to big league team.  Right now, though, right field’s offensive production is the biggest weakness on the team just ahead of the starting pitching.  He was first called up in 2015 by the Los Angels Dodgers, but has yet to stick for an entire MLB season.

Schebler is just batting .175 with a .257 OBP.  That is not sustainable for any position.  He and Joey Votto are the only two lefties in the line-up, so they would need to find another lefty.

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With the market for rental left-handed batting outfielders looking short this season, excluding former Red Jay Bruce, a non-conventional option may make sense.  Eric Hosmer of the Kansas City Royals may be a good option.  The Reds could trade one of their excess prospects for Hosmer and cash.

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Hosmer has been mostly a first baseman, but has played some right in his time in KC.  The Royals need to move Hosmer as he, Lorenzo Cain, and third baseman Mike Moustakas are all eligible to be free agents at the end of the season.  Hosmer would be a second half rental, if the Reds are in the hunt come July 1.

Whether the Cincinnati Reds can transition to winners this season may depend on their starting pitchers.

The Reds can make a move for a handful of players, if they can stay in the race but not for a whole new staff.

Teams are bound to be offering players like Bartolo Colon and Aaron Hill prior to the July 31 deadline, but the teams will want something in return.  The Reds will not likely be in a place to bid for someone like Colon.

The Reds may be forced to try to collect lower end help like a veteran catcher such as Carlos Ruiz or an end of career reliever such as Jason Grilli.  The cost of adding starting pitching will likely be cost prohibitive.  That means the Reds need to make do with their in house options.

Next: It's put up or shut up time for the Reds

The Reds need to hope that Amir Garrett and Bronson Arroyo hold up.  They also need to hope that Brandon Finnegan and Anthony DeSclafani get healthy.  Being in a smaller market, the Reds need to be ready to add a few pieces.  Making the playoffs for a rebuilding team can be important.  Even a cost of a prospect or two is well worth it.