Cincinnati Reds trade Adam Duvall for pitching prospects and outfielder

Late last night the Cincinnati Reds traded Adam Duvall to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for three prospects.

Reds fans have been wondering for the past several days if Cincinnati was going to make a trade. With the MLB trade deadline approaching at 4 PM today, the Cincinnati Reds made their first move. Adam Duvall was traded to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for two pitching prospects and an outfielder.

Duvall, originally drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 2011, had been with the Reds since 2015. He came to Cincinnati as part of a deadline deal that included pitcher Keury Mella in exchange for Reds starter Mike Leake. Duvall split time between Triple-A Louisville and Cincinnati during his first season with the Reds.

Duvall was named an All-Star in 2016. He hit .241 with 33 home runs and 103 RBIs that season. Last season, Duvall’s numbers were arguably better than 2016 with a .249 average and .301 OBP. He hit 31 homers and racked up 99 RBIs in 2017.

This season, however, Duvall’s overall numbers have taken a nosedive. While still a proficient defender in leftfield, Duvall’s batting average is sitting at .205 and his on-base percentage is well below .300. His power numbers are still there with 15 home runs and 61 RBIs through 105 games.

What did the Reds get in return?

The Cincinnati Reds got a nice haul in return for Duvall. Right-handers Lucas Sims and Matt Wisler, as well as outfielder Preston Tucker, will be headed to the Queen City. Tucker will take Duvall’s spot in the outfield and join the big league club before Tuesday’s game with the Detroit Tigers.

As for Sims and Wisler, it’s yet to be determined where they’ll start their careers with the Reds. Sims, a former first-round pick in 2012, is the centerpiece of this deal for the Reds. In 20 career games at the Major League level, Sims has a 5.96 ERA in 10 starts. Sims still has minor league options and does not become a free agent until 2024.

Wisler is a 25-year-old right-hander and a former draft pick of the San Diego Padres. Wisler, an Ohio native, has played 74 games in the Majors, with his best season coming back in 2015. That season, Wisler started 19 games, notched 8 wins and had a 4.71 ERA.

As for the outfielder Tucker, the Reds are getting a left-handed bat that they can add to their lineup. Tucker is hitting .256 this season with a .307 on-base percentage. He has 4 home runs and 22 RBIs on the season. He is able to play both corner outfield spots and gives the Reds another option in the outfield with Jesse Winker shelved for the season.

Duvall was in an odd spot with the Reds. Winker and Scott Schebler seemed to have established themselves as the starters in the Cincinnati outfield. Both Phillip Ervin and Mason Williams, recently called up from Triple-A Louisville, appear to have caught the eye of the Reds’ management and may be key pieces to the rebuild going into 2019.

Duvall’s power and towering home runs to left field will be missed, but it was becoming increasingly clear that he’d be the odd man out going forward. He’ll now get a chance to be part of a contender heading into the tail-end of the season. Reds Country should thank Duvall for what he’s brought to Cincinnati and wish him well in the future.