Cincinnati Reds get Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, and Alex Wood in trade

The Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers pulled off a blockbuster trade this afternoon. The Reds shipped Homer Bailey and some prospects to Los Angeles for Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, and Alex Wood.

The Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers pulled off a blockbuster trade this afternoon and Reds fans have got to be losing their minds. In a trade that appeared to gain some traction during the Winter Meetings, the Reds are shipping Homer Bailey to Los Angeles, along with Jeter Downs and Josiah Gray. In return, Cincinnati will receive Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Alex Wood, and $7 million.

The Reds have been looking to upgrade their pitching all offseason. They’ve also been in the market for a centerfielder. Cincinnati appears to have solved both problems in one swoop and at the same time they rid themselves of a major headache.

Homer Bailey was atrocious last season. He went 1-14 with an ERA above 6.00 and was pulling in $21 million in salary. Bailey was slated to make $23 million this coming season and he had a $5-million buyout for his 2020 option. Bailey’s exorbitant salary, combined with his poor pitching and poor attitude were a recipe for disaster. So much so, that it appears Los Angeles is releasing him once the trade is finalized.

Yasiel Puig will be reunited with hitting coach Turner Ward. Puig hit .267 last season with 21 homers and 63 RBIs. Matt Kemp actually went to the All-Star Game last season. Kemp hit .290 with 21 home runs and 85 RBIs. That kind of production will likely increase in the hitter-friendly confines of Great American Ball Park.

One of the more intriguing pieces that the Reds picked up was left-hander Alex Wood. I’ve been begging the Cincinnati Reds to find a left-handed starter this offseason and they have. Wood went 9-7 with a 3.68 ERA in 33 appearances last season, including 27 starts.

Wood will likely fall near the top of the Reds rotation along with the recently acquired Tanner Roark and Luis Castillo. With those three, plus Anthony DeSclafani and either Tyler Mahle, Michael Lorenzen, or Sal Romano, the Reds now have a formidable starting rotation.

The Reds also received $7 million from the Dodgers in addition to the three players. Gray was drafted by Cincinnati last season and was the No. 20 ranked prospect in the Reds farm system. Cincinnati’s No. 8 prospect, Jeter Downs, was also part of the trade. Both are projected to be at least 2-3 years away from the Majors.

The Cincinnati Reds did it. They got the pitching, they filled the hole in the outfield, and they increased the payroll. Happy Holidays Reds Country! The Reds just put a whole lot of gifts under the tree.