Reds rumors: Nick Senzel possible trade chip in talks for Francisco Lindor

The Reds rumors are going to start heating up with the front office still looking to make moves. Might Nick Senzel be headed out of Cincinnati?

If the latest Reds rumors about Cincinnati’s involvement in trade talks surrounding Francisco Lindor are true, the superstar shortstop will not come cheap. Both Mark Feinsand of MLB.com and Jon Heyman, an insider at MLB Network, have suggested that Cincinnati Reds center fielder Nick Senzel may be part of a potential trade.

Nick Senzel, who played 104 games in his rookie season, was the Reds top prospect heading into last season. On May 3rd, Senzel got the call and became Cincinnati’s everyday centerfielder. Senzel had no previous experience playing the position, but learned quickly during spring training and replace Scott Schebler just a month into last season.

Trading a player of Senzel’s caliber definitely comes with some risks, but Lindor is arguably one of the Top 5 players in the game today. The Indians shortstop has been to four consecutive All-Star Games and has two Gold Gloves to his credit. With Freddy Galvis as the Reds best interval option to play shortstop next season, going after Lindor makes a lot of sense.

However, if Senzel was included in a deal for Lindor, the obvious question becomes who’ll play center field for Cincinnati in 2020? Though not overly impressive, the Reds do have options. Phillip Ervin and Travis Jankowski may be the best fits who are currently on the team. There’s also Jose Siri, who’s bat has yet to catch up to his glove.

Feinsand also mentions Jonathan India, the team’s No. 3 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline, as a possible trade chip as well. India was Cincinnati’s first-round draft pick back in 2018 and hasn’t yet played above Double-A. However, like Senzel, he’s an advanced and could be a key piece to a potential deal for Lindor.

Obviously it would take more than just Nick Senzel or just Jonathan India to complete a trade fro Francisco Lindor, but those may be the two most prominent names. Prospects like Tony Santillan, Nick Lodolo, and possibly shortstop Freddy Galvis could also find their names among those mentioned in a potential deal for Lindor.

There’s no framework and a deal doesn’t appear imminent, but the Cincinnati Reds are having conversations with the Cleveland Indians. The Los Angeles Dodgers are another ball club rumored to be interested in Lindor’s services. The Indians shortstop is under team control for two more years and definitely fits the timeline of the Reds desire to compete in 2020.