Reds rumors: Cincinnati Reds open to trading Raisel Iglesias

A recent report says that the Cincinnati Reds are willing to listen to offers for Raisel Iglesias. Buckle up Reds Country, this is one of many Reds rumors sure to pop up in the coming days.

With the Cincinnati Reds sitting 9 games under .500, it appears the club is looking to next year. While some rumblings had the team being “buyers” at the trade deadline, the latest Reds rumors involving closer Raisel Iglesias seem to suggest otherwise.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that two executives from the Reds front office have made him aware that the team is willing to their closer. This news should not come as a shock. In fact, the way Iglesias has pitched this season, a lot of Reds fans may be ecstatic to hear this news.

While Iglesias had been one of the most reliable arms in the Reds bullpen over the last few years, the 29-year-old from Cuba has crashed hard this season. Iglesias leads the team in losses among relievers with 8 and has a 4.60 ERA. His 1.395 WHIP is a career worst and he’s already allowed 9 home runs this season.

For a team with deep pockets and a need for relief help, Raisel Iglesias could be a solid addition. Though he’s having a rough season, he does have 75 saves over the past 3 seasons with an ERA+ of 150. Another plus for this season is his K/9, which is sitting at 11.7, a career-best. Iglesias has 56 strikeouts in 43 innings pitched.

The situation with Iglesias may be similar to what the Cincinnati Reds found earlier this season after acquiring Sonny Gray. Perhaps Iglesias needs a change of scenery. After failing as a starter, it appeared that Iglesias found a home in the bullpen as the team’s closer.

However, earlier this season, David Bell wanted to use Iglesias outside of the ninth inning in high-leverage situations. That hasn’t worked out well. Iglesias has 3 blown saves on the season and has surrendered several late inning home runs that have contributed to the team’s league-leading 21 one-run losses.

Iglesias has a relatively affordable contract if he returns to form. The Reds and Iglesias renegotiated his contract this past offseason in order to avoid arbitration. The right-hander is owed $6M this season with $9M due in 2020 and $9.125M owed to him in 2021.

If the latest Reds rumors are true, Cincinnati could turn to Amir Garrett or Michael Lorenzen late in games. Sal Romano also earned a three-inning save the other night in relief. Perhaps Big Sally, a power pitcher, could find a home in the back of the Reds bullpen if the team moves on from Raisel Iglesias.