Cincinnati Reds: What would Yasiel Puig and Alex Wood bring?

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic the Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers have discussed a deal which could send the Dodgers to the Queen City.

A tweet from Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic surfaced late this afternoon that the Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers have engaged in trade discussions with Yasiel Puig and Alex Wood possibly being the centerpieces of a potential deal. If the Reds have an opportunity to acquire a powerful bat and a reliable left handed starter,  it’s well worth the gamble.  Consider it a low risk move that could provide future dividends.

First of all, nothing motivates players like being in the final year of a contract.  Both Puig and Wood are preparing to hit the open market next winter as free agents.  The 2019 season will go a long way in determining the future earnings for each player.

Puig possess a bat that could do serious damage in Great American Ballpark.  The capricious outfielder has blasted 51 homers over the past two seasons despite playing half his games in the pitchers paradise known as Dodger Stadium.  Inserting him into the middle of the order surrounded by the likes of Eugenio Suarez and Joey Votto the Reds will score runs. A reunion with new Reds hitting coach Turner Ward is also a positive.

The question becomes where does Puig fit in the Reds outfield.  Jesse Winker and Scott Schebler are penciled in at the corner outfield slots.  However, following the loss of Billy Hamilton, there’s a gaping hole in centerfield.

Granted, Puig hasn’t played center since 2016, but if Reds fans remember, Shin-Soo Choo played centerfield throughout the 2013 season. If he can do it, I’m sure the athletic Puig can handle it for a season.

Wood, on the other hand, would provide the club with a much desired reliable middle of the rotation southpaw.  Throughout his six year career with the Braves and Dodgers, the 2017 All Star has started 129 games and posted a solid 3.29 ERA.

Even more impressive is Wood’s home runs allowed per 9 innings rate that has never exceeded 0.9.  He also has registered a 49.5% career ground ball rate.  Those are two areas of the utmost importance for a pitcher to thrive in the Reds homer-friendly park.

Now for the tricky part.  What does a deal for Puig and Wood look like?  Per Rosenthal, it’s a whopper.

While the idea of trading Homer Bailey would cause Reds fans to celebrate, it would also indicate top prospects would be going to Los Angeles as well.  If I’m the Reds font office, the idea of surrendering multiple future pieces for possibly one year of Puig and Wood is not an option even if Bailey is included.

Rosenthal also mentions the possibility of the Dodgers dumping salaries to put money elsewhere.  If the Dodgers are trying to free up cash and deal an outfielder it’s obvious they have Bryce Harper in their cross-hairs. The Reds would be wise to pursue this angle of the deal.

By acquiring Puig and Wood the Cincinnati Reds would be taking on approximately $20 million in additional payroll.  However, if say, Scooter Gennett, another player a year removed from free agency,  were involved, that cuts the Reds payroll obligation in half and creates an opening for Reds top prospect Nick Senzel.  This could work for both teams.

Los Angeles saves $10 million and helps alleviate their glut of outfielders, while receiving a quality bat in the process.  The Reds will benefit by acquiring proven major league talent and finally providing a clear pathway for Senzel.

If a deal is consummated  and the Cincinnati Reds contend in 2019, it will largely be due to the contributions of Puig and Wood.  If the Reds falter in 2019, they have two valuable assets at the trade deadline that could bring quality prospects.  While their tenures in Cincinnati could be short-lived, their impacts could be felt well into the future.