Cincinnati Reds: Top 5 all-time trades in franchise history

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WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 16: Eugenio Suarez #7 of the Cincinnati Reds during Gatorade All-Star Workout Day at Nationals Park on July 16, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Now that the Winter Meetings are behind us let’s revisit five times the Cincinnati Reds front office got the better end of the deal.

Though the Winter Meetings are over, historically, that’s when the big deals get done. The Cincinnati Reds were relatively quiet, as far as trades go, during this year’s Winter Meetings. However, don’t discount that period in time after the Winter Meetings, when groundwork is laid for a blockbuster trade to take place.

Over the 150 years that the Reds franchise has been in existence, the front office has made some great trades for future All-Stars, and some not-so-great trades for players that will never make it to the big leagues. Let’s take a look back at the 5 biggest trades in Cincinnati Reds history.

5. Eugenio Suárez

In one of the final significant transactions during Walt Jocketty’s tenure as General Manager of the Cincinnati Reds, he was able to acquire a 23-year-old shortstop from the Detroit Tigers by the name of Eugenio Suarez.

Making his Major League debut in June 2014 Suarez produced a pedestrian slash line of .242/.316/.336 with 4 homers in Motown. The Tigers saw Suárez as a place holder at shortstop due to the season-ending injury to starter to Jose Igelsias.

Once Iglesias was given a clean bill of health for the 2015 season, the defending AL Central Champions faced a dilemma. The Tigers sensing their window to capture a World Series title was rapidly closing decided adding another veteran starter to complement Justin Verlander, David Price and Anibal Sanchez was critical.

Enter Jocketty and the Reds. On the final day of the 2014 Winter Meetings the Reds sent All-Star right-handed hurler Alfredo Simon to Detroit in exchange for Suárez. On the surface it seemed to be a smart move for the Tigers.

Simon was a veteran coming off an outstanding season in which he won 15 games, threw 196.1 innings, and produced a 3.44 ERA. As for Suarez, he was blocked at short by the 25-year-old Iglesias and thus deemed expendable.

From the Reds perspective it was a gamble. Zack Cozart had firmly entrenched himself as the club’s shortstop. Suarez was simply a prospect and piece to hopefully help the team in their rebuilding efforts.

As fate would have it, Simon was a disaster in Detroit and the Tigers went from first to last place in the AL Central. His lone season in Motown saw Simon post a 5.05 ERA along with a 79 ERA+. Big Pasta would return to the Reds in 2016 and would be out of baseball at the conclusion of the season.

Meanwhile, Cozart suffered a season-ending knee injury in June 2015 and Suarez took full advantage of his opportunity. Following a December 2015 trade of Reds third baseman Todd Frazier to the Chicago White Sox, Suarez would take over manning the hot corner. He hasn’t disappointed. During his four seasons in Cincinnati, Geno has blasted 94 home runs, knocked in 304 RBIs, and slashed .266/.344/.461.

The 2018 season cemented Suarez’s place as one of the elite third baseman in the game. Setting career-highs in homers (34), RBIs (104), slugging (.526), and OPS+ (135), Geno earned his first All-Star selection. He capped off the season by being named team MVP.

Prior to the 2018 season Suarez signed a 7-year deal that will keep him in the Queen City through the 2024 season. Considering the fact that Geno is just now entering his prime he could very easily move up this list in the years to come.

31 Jul 1994: Pitcher Jose Rijo of the Cincinnati Reds in action during a game against the San Diego Padres at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. The Reds won the game 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport /

4. Jose Rijo

Jose Rijo had an interesting journey to Cincinnati. He made his Major League debut in 1984 as a 19-year-old with the New York Yankees. Following his rookie season, Rijo was included in a package going to the Oakland A’s in exchange for outfielder Rickey Henderson.

During his three seasons with the A’s, Rijo was a well below-average starter. His final season in Oakland in 1987 saw him compile a 2-7 record with a 5.90 ERA and a 1.785 WHIP. In other words, the season was a complete catastrophe for the young right-hander.

In an eyebrow-raising move in December 1987, new Reds General Manager Murray Cook sent six-time All-Star outfielder Dave Parker to the A’s in exchange for Rijo and left-handed reliever Tim Birtsas. Fair or not, Cook’s legacy would largely be based on the results of this trade.

From the moment he first took the mound at Riverfront Stadium the now 23-year-old Rijo made Cook look like a genius. The 1988 season saw Rijo completely transform himself as a pitcher. Finishing the year with a 13-8 record, a sparkling 2.39 ERA, and an amazing 151 ERA+, it was obvious the Cincinnati Reds front office had pulled off a coup.

For Reds fans you can’t mention Rijo’s name without talking about the 1990 campaign. The Cincinnati Reds lead the NL West division wire-to-wire and secured their first postseason appearance in 11 years. Starting two games in the NLCS against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Rijo collected a victory in Game 4 and the Reds would win the pennant in six games.

Entering the 1990 World Series the Reds were considered significant underdogs to the defending World Champion Oakland Athletics. The A’s were making their third straight appearance in the Fall Classic and were a juggernaut.

Rickey Henderson would win the MVP and Bob Welch would capture the Cy Young Award. They also had the likes of Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco, Dave Stewart and Dennis Eckersley. Managed by Tony LaRussa and featuring a Farm Director by the name of Walt Jocketty the A’s won 103 games during the regular season.

What the A’s didn’t have any longer was Jose Rijo and he was simply masterful against his former team. Earning victories in Game 1 and the Series clincher in Game 4 Rijo hurled 15.1 innings to the tune of a 0.59 ERA and a World Series MVP trophy. Rijo, almost single handedly, authored one of the greatest upsets in Series history.

Rijo would continue to be a dominant presence in the Reds rotation for years to come. Throughout his 10 seasons in the Queen City, Rijo would collect 97 wins against only 61 losses. He finished his career with the Reds sporting a 2.83 ERA and 138 ERA+. Somewhere Murray Cook is smiling.

CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 25: Brandon Phillips #4 of the Cincinnati Reds runs to third base during the game against the Milwaukee Brewersat Great American Ball Park on September 25, 2014 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

3. Brandon Phillips

Brandon Phillips was involved in one of the biggest deals of the 2000’s. No, not the one that brought him to Cincinnati. In June of 2002 Phillips along with Cliff Lee, Grady Sizemore and Lee Stevens were dealt from the Montreal Expos to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew.

The Stone Mountain, Georgia native was a 2nd round draft pick of the Expos in 1999 and made his Major lLeague debut later in the summer of 2002 with the Tribe. However, over the course of four seasons in Cleveland, Phillips failed to establish himself as a Major Leaguer. Appearing in only 135 games and hitting a paltry .206 over that span, his career was at a crossroads.

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After failing to win the second base job entering the 2006 season, the Indians were finally ready to move on from Phillips. On April 7, 2006 Reds General Manager Wayne Krivsky acquired the 25-year-old second baseman for a player to be named later. Eventually right-handed pitcher Jeff Stevens was sent to Cleveland to complete the deal.

Almost overnight Phillips became the player worthy of a second round draft selection. In his inaugural season in Cincinnati, Phillips smacked 17 homers, knocked in 75 RBIs, while stealing 25 bases. However, it was his defense that left fans and opponents alike slack jawed. He was a magician with the glove and would became a regular on nightly highlight reels for years to come.

Immediately establishing himself as a fan favorite from the outset, Phillips would only get better. Arguably his finest season occurred during the 2007 campaign. Phillips would set career highs in both home runs (30) and stolen bases (32), while continuing to play sparkling defense.

Over the course of 11 years in the Queen City, Phillips was an integral part of three playoff teams. During his Reds career he would accumulate 1,774 hits, 191 homers and swipe 194 bases. Phillips also collected his share of hardware while in a Cincinnati Reds uniform. He won 4 Gold Glove Awards, made 3 All-Star teams, and claimed the 2011 Silver Slugger Award.

As for Jeff Stevens, the player to be named later in the trade with the Indians, he managed to win one Major League game over his career as a member of the Cubs in 2009. There’s no way Wayne Krivsky could have envisioned what Brandon Phillips would become. However, it was obvious to Reds fans in no time at all that Dat Dude can play.

MIAMI, FL – SEPTEMBER 21: A detailed view of the batting helmets of Phillip Ervin #27 and Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds in the dugout before the start of the game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on September 21, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

2. George Foster

George Foster‘s path to Cincinnati shares some similarities to Brandon Phillips. He was selected in the 3rd round of the 1968 draft by the San Francisco Giants. Foster made his Major League debut as a 20-year-old the following season earning a brief cup of coffee with San Francisco. While playing sparingly over 2 1/2 years, the right-handed hitting corner outfielder was dealt to the Reds on May 29, 1971 for shortstop Frank Duffy and pitcher Vern Geishert.

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After arriving in Cincinnati, Foster failed to distinguish himself right away. As a matter of fact, it wasn’t until the 1975 season that he became an everyday starter. Interestingly enough, Pete Rose began that season as the Reds starting left fielder, but manager Sparky Anderson was growing more discouraged by the day with his weak hitting third baseman John Vuckovich.

Early in the summer of ’75 Anderson had an idea. Wanting to get another powerful bat in the line-up, Anderson moved Rose to third base and put Foster in left field. Nobody knew it at the time, but the final piece of the Big Red Machine was now in place.

Given his opportunity the now 26-year-old Foster would become one of the most dangerous sluggers in baseball. He was a vital member of the 1975 and 1976 World Series Championship teams. How good was Foster? He finished 2nd in the MVP voting in 1976 losing to teammate Joe Morgan. The following year he would finish second to no one.

Foster was an absolute beast in 1977. Smashing a career high 52 home runs, Foster would be the only player to hit at least 50 homers during the 1970’s or 1980’s. That same season he would also lead the league in runs, RBI’s, slugging, OPS and total bases. Oh by the way, he hit .320 as well.

Throughout his 11 years in Cincinnati Foster would finish in the Top 10 in Cincinnati Reds franchise history in slugging, OPS, home runs and RBIs. He would also earn five All-Star selections and a Silver Slugger Award.

Fortunately for the Reds, Frank Duffy and Vern Geishert failed to have the same impact for their new club. Duffy played in only 21 games for the Giants before being shipped to the Indians. Geishert never appeared in another Major League game after being traded by the Reds.

Bob Howsam, the Cincinnati Reds General Manager and architect of the Big Red Machine, made many shrewd deals to build the Reds dynasty. However, it’s fair to say the trade for George Foster is an unbelievable stroke of good luck.

NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 05: MLB Hall of Famer Joe Morgan presents the ROBIE Achievement in Industry Award to John Finnegan at the Jackie Robinson Foundation Awards Gala at The Waldorf=Astoria on March 5, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for The Jackie Robinson Foundation) /

1. Joe Morgan and Company

Entering the 1971 season the Cincinnati Reds were coming off a National League pennant winning season and seemed poised to return to the Fall Classic. The team featured veterans such as Pete Rose and Tony Perez paired with young stars like Johnny Bench and Don Gullett. Success seemed inevitable. As we all, know success can be fleeting. The 1971 Reds stumbled to a 79-83 record and a fourth place finish in the NL West. Changes would be made.

On November 29, 1971, the Cincinnati Reds franchise was changed forever. It was on that day that Reds General Manager Bob Howsam pulled the trigger on a blockbuster deal with the Houston Astros. A total of eight players would have a change of address.

The Reds would acquire infielders Joe Morgan and Denis Menke, outfielders Cesar Geronimo and Ed Armbrister, as well as right-handed starting pitcher Jack Billingham. Heading to the Lone Star State would be Reds first baseman Lee May and infielders Tommy Helms and Jimmy Stewart.

Morgan, Geronimo and Billingham would prove to be key pieces in making the Big Red Machine an unstoppable force for the rest of the decade. This group would capture four NL West titles, three NLCS titles, and two World Series titles. Morgan and Geronimo would be members of arguably the greatest lineup in baseball history, and Billingham is the proud owner of a career 0.36 ERA in the World Series over the course of 25.1 innings.

Individually, Morgan is the most decorated of the group. He captured back-to-back MVP Awards in 1975-76 while leading the Reds to World Series titles in each year. Geronimo would spend nine years in Cincinnati and collect four Gold Glove Awards. Billingham would win 87 games over 6 seasons in the Queen City, while collecting two Top 10 finishes in Cy Young Award voting.

Ed Armbrister played 5 seasons for the Reds and never had more than 91 plate appearances in a single season. But, little used Ed will always have a place in baseball history. It was his bunt attempt in the 10th inning of Game 3 that lives in infamy. Armbrister, pinch-hitting for pitcher Rawly Eastwick, attempted to lay down a sacrifice bunt to move Cesar Geronimo to second base following his single to open the bottom of the 10th inning.

As Armbrister got the bunt down directly in front of home plate he collided with Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk, which resulted in a throwing error and allowed Geronimo to move all the way to third base and Armbrister to second. Fisk was furious and wanted Armbrister ruled out due to interference. After a lengthy discussion between Fisk, Red Sox manager Darrell Johnson and the umpires, the play stood. One out later Morgan singles in Geronimo and the Reds were victorious.

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The trade of 1971 between the Cincinnati Reds and Houston Astros continues to be one of the big “what if’s” in baseball history. Would the Reds return to their 1970 glory or would that season be an outlier? If the Astros held onto their core and paired them with young players like Cesar Cedeno and JR Richard, would they have controlled the NL West? Luckily for the Cincinnati Reds and their fans, we’ll never know.

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