Cincinnati Reds: Freddy Galvis could be traded before the season begins

Strange as it may seem, Freddy Galvis’ future may not be with the Cincinnati Reds. While his option was picked up, Galvis may be playing elsewhere in 2020.

While the Cincinnati Reds picked up Freddy Galvis’ team option for the 2020 season, that doesn’t necessarily mean that he will begin the season in the Queen City. Most fans expect Galvis, at the very least, to be a utility infielder next season and possibly the starting shortstop, but Joel Sherman of the New York Post offers a different opinion.

Sherman entertains the idea of the New York Yankees pursuing a trade for the switch-hitting shortstop. In a piece exploring the lack of left-handed hitters in the Yankees lineup for 2020, Sherman cites the Yankees desire to bring Galvis to the Bronx last season had the club not signed Troy Tulowitzki. Might New York still be interested?

Fans in Cincinnati really didn’t get to appreciate what Galvis brings to the table. An above-average defender, Galvis has pop in his bat, setting a career-high in home runs (23), RBIs (70) and OPS (.734). Galvis played in just 32 games for the Reds in 2019, hitting just .234 with 5 home runs in 107 at-bats.

The Reds have a gaping hole up the middle of the infield. With a lack of production from José Peraza in 2019, the questionable defense of Josh VanMeter and José Iglesias entering free agency, Galvis may be Cincinnati’s best option right now. However, as the offseason unfolds, the Reds could see a major shakeup.

Fans throughout Reds Country have opined with the idea of moving Senzel back to the infield after his rookie season saw the club’s top prospect take over from Billy Hamilton in center field. Senzel played on the dirt for his entire professional career until last season. This move may affect how Galvis is used in 2020.

With the free agent crop of shortstops very limited, Galvis’ $5.5M salary in 2020 seems extremely reasonable for a team looking to add a middle infielder. There’s still the possibility that Cincinnati could look to re-sign Iglesias, at which point Galvis’ best chance to start would be at second base.

Cincinnati has already been rumored to be in the market for Didi Gregorius, and just yesterday, a report surfaced that the Reds may be in the hunt for Howie Kendrick. Should the Reds land these two, or go after the likes of Brian Dozier, Wilmer Flores or Jonathan Schoop, Galvis may become expendable.

Sherman’s piece also suggests that the Yankees may be interested in Tucker Barnhart. With the Reds rumored to be looking very closely at Yasmani Grandal, trading Barnhart becomes a realistic possibility. Sherman goes as far as to suggest that New York should put together a package centered around acquiring both Galvis and Barnhart.

Personally, I think the Reds should hang on to Freddy Galvis, at least until the trade deadline next season. If the Reds are a fringe playoff contender at that point, or another player has emerged as a better option, trading the soon-to-be 30-year-old at that time may be on the table.

While his plate discipline is questionable, Freddy Galvis provides power from the left-side and is great defensively. The idea is intriguing though, especially if the Reds add to the middle infield through free agency or a trade. Look for Galvis’ name to surface again as the offseason intensifies.