Reds rumors: Indians desire Taylor Trammell or Nick Senzel in trade

The latest Reds rumors take us back to trade discussions with the Cleveland Indians. If the Cincinnati Reds want Corey Kluber, it sounds like it’s going to cost them Nick Senzel or Taylor Trammell.

The Reds rumors surrounding Cleveland Indians starting pitcher have surfaced again. This time it appears to be a bit clearer as to what assets the Cincinnati Reds may have to sacrifice in order to get the Tribe’s ace. Spoiler alert: The price is pretty steep.

According to the most recent report from Jon Morosi of MLB Network, if the Reds area serious about making a trade for Corey Kluber, it’s going to cost them at least Nick Senzel or Taylor Trammell. Morosi’s tweet said that the Indians expressed interest in both of the Reds top prospects.

To be honest, we all expected this. The Indians front office is not dumb. They know that they have in Corey Kluber, and if a team like Cincinnati is serious about upgrading their starting rotation, it’s going to sting a little bit. But let’s be real, the Indians are not asking for Eugenio Suárez or Joey Votto.

Cleveland is asking for prospects who haven’t playing a single game in a Reds’ uniform or even had a single at-bat at the Major League level. Senzel comes with injury concern given his bout with vertigo last season and Trammell is at least one, if not two years away. If the Reds are in a “win now” mode, they should find a way to make this deal work.

I know. I’ve heard all the hype surrounding Senzel. Trust me, I get it. By all accounts, Senzel is likely to be a very successful Major League player. But where do you play him? Do you trade Scooter Gennett? Do you play Senzel in center field? Do you make him a super utility player?

Or, you could package Senzel with a player like Tony Santillan, Tyler Mahle, or Vladimir Gutierrez and improve your rotation for the next three years with a top-flight pitcher under club control through the 2021 season. Kluber is owed $17M in 2019, $17.5M in 2020, and $18M in 2021.

Kluber would be plugged in as the Reds No. 1 starter immediately. With a starting rotation of Kluber, Luis Castillo, Anthony DeSclafani, Tanner Roark, and either Cody Reed or Tyler Mahle, the Reds could be competitive every night.

Cincinnati is not the only team interested in Kluber. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Philadelphia Phillies, are the other teams interested in the Indians’ ace. Cincinnati fans are waiting for these Reds rumors to become a reality. At least now we know for sure what it’ll take to pry Kluber away from Cleveland.