Cincinnati Reds: Might Nick Senzel be an option for the Padres?

The Padres are looking for help at third base. While many Cincinnati Reds fans scoffed at the idea of losing Eugenio Suárez to the Friars, what about Nick Senzel?

It was rumored last week that the San Diego Padres were looking to acquire Cincinnati Reds‘ third baseman, Eugenio Suárez. There didn’t seem to much reciprocation around Reds Country to trading their All-Star slugger. But, what if the Padres came calling for top prospect Nick Senzel? Would the Reds be more receptive?

Nick Senzel, who played third base in college, is the No. 1 prospect in the Reds pipeline. But the Reds have a bit of a conundrum with their first-rounder from the 2016 MLB Draft. How are they going to get him onto the field?

Senzel, who played third base throughout his career at Tennessee, will not see much time at the hot corner so long as Suárez is a member of the Cincinnati Reds. Senzel saw a lot of action at second base during his time in the minor leagues, but with the emergence and likely contract extension of Scooter Gennett, it’s unlikely for Senzel to find much playing time there either.

A move to the outfield has been floated about. While that may be the best way for the Reds to get Senzel onto the field quickly next season, it is not a position the 22-year-old has ever played before. On top of that, the Reds appear set at the corners, and unless Billy Hamilton is traded or released, it’s unlikely to see Senzel as the everyday center fielder.

So, the question once more is, how do the Reds get Senzel onto the field in 2019? Maybe they don’t have to. Might Nick Senzel be more valuable to Cincinnati if he were traded away for some pitching help? After all, it wasn’t the offense that surrendered all those home runs last season.

There are a couple young pitchers on the Padres that may spark some interest among some in the Reds’ front office. Former first-round picks Eric Lauer and Mackenzie Gore and Joey Lucchesi could be potential targets if the Reds wish to engage in trade talks with San Diego. Lauer and Lucchesi were both rookies last season, while Gore may yet be a year away from starting in the Majors.

Conventional wisdom has the Reds hanging onto Senzel and giving him an opportunity to be a successful outfielder next year in Cincinnati. However, if a team like the San Diego Padres were willing to put up some top-notch assets, the Cincinnati Reds should at least field a phone call.