Reds rumors: Reliever Amir Garrett coveted by many teams

The latest Reds rumors may not sit well with many fans. Amir Garrett, the Cincinnati Reds best reliever, is coveted by many teams. However, it’s hard to see the team moving him at the deadline.

Unsurprisingly, Cincinnati Reds reliever Amir Garrett is drawing some interest as Wednesday’s trade deadline approaches. The latest Reds rumors claim that many teams covet the lefty, however, a trade for Garrett would take quite a haul. According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, it’s more likely that the Reds trade right-hander Raises Iglesias.

It should come as a shock to no one that Garrett is a hot name among contending teams looking to upgrade their bullpen. The southpaw has emerged as one of the best relievers in the game. Garrett is 4-1 with a 1.85 ERA in 39 innings of work this season. He has 58 strikeouts and a 1.256 WHIP.

What would be surprising, however, is if the Reds decided to trade Garrett before the deadline. In saying that, if another team offered several top prospects, Dick Williams and Nick Krall may be hard-pressed to say no.

Now, in no way am I advocating for the Cincinnati Reds to trade Amir Garrett. He’s come into his own this season and was robbed of his first All-Star appearance. The Reds have been able to count on AG throughout the season and David Bell uses Garrett is the highest leverage situations against some of the best left-handed hitters in the game. Garrett is at his best when the game hangs in the balance.

However, if a team like the Los Angeles Dodgers were willing to part with top catching prospect Keibert Ruiz, should the Reds entertain that offer? If the Atlanta Braves made Ian Anderson available, would Cincinnati listen?

In all likelihood, Garrett will part of the Reds organization after Wednesday’s deadline. Garrett has four more years of team control and could be a key part of this team moving forward. However, as Heyman notes, another member of the Reds bullpen may be on the move.

It’s been reported that Raisel Iglesias is available, and Heyman suggests that a trade involving the flame-throwing closer may be in the works. Iglesias has been the Reds closer for the last two-plus seasons, but has really struggled this year. While the return for Iglesias may not be as much as the Reds would receive for Garrett, it would shed the remaining salary that Iggy is owed over the next two seasons.

Iglesias signed an extension the past offseason that’s paying him $6M this season with an additional $18.125M over the next two years. If the Reds are no longer going to use Iglesias as their closer, that seems like a lot of money for a player who doesn’t have the confidence of his manager.

While David Bell has repeatedly voiced his trust in Iglesias, it’s obvious that unless the Reds own a lead late in the game, there’s no reason to put the 29-year-old on the mound. Iglesias has three blown saves this season, which isn’t horrible. However, he also owns eight losses, and has surrendered the go-ahead run during countless close games this season.

Whether it’s art the trade deadline or this offseason, expect the Cincinnati Reds to move on from Raisel Iglesias. As for the latest Reds rumors revolving around Amir Garrett, I wouldn’t put too much stock into them. Unless the Reds front office is blown away by an offer, Reds Country can count on AG for the foreseeable future.