Cincinnati Reds: Is Nick Senzel or Jesse Winker more likely to be traded?

Should the Reds trade Nick Senzel?

The idea of trading Nick Senzel, the team’s top prospect for the last several seasons seems ludicrous to me. The Cincinnati Reds invested a first-round pick in order to land Senzel, bounced him all over the diamond in an effort to get him to the big leagues, kept him in the minors just long enough to alter his free agent status, and now you want to trade him? No way, right?

Well, hold on just one minute. While many scouts, experts, pundits, and fans agree that Senzel has the potential to be a top-flight player in Major League Baseball, he’s not without his flaws. Senzel began his professional career as a third baseman, but with the play of Eugenio Suárez, the team decided to switch Senzel to second base, hoping to see him take the reigns at that position.

An unexpected outburst from waiver wire pickup Scooter Gennett slowed the Reds process of elevating Senzel to the big leagues, as did a few bouts with some strange and concerning injuries. The club made the decision last offseason to transition Senzel to center field. While obviously not a Gold Glover in the outfield, Senzel held his own during his first season playing on the grass.

Senzel played 104 games last season, but was placed on the injured list near the end of his rookie campaign following a shoulder injury. The 24-year-old finished 2019 with a slash line of .256/.315/.427 to go along with 12 home runs and 42 RBIs.

By all accounts, Nick Senzel has the opportunity to be one of the best players on the Cincinnati roster last season. After getting his first taste of big league pitching last season and making the transition to center field, the University of Tennessee product will be expected to be a key piece of next year’s lineup.

Should the need arise, Senzel may also be able to help the Reds on the infield dirt. Though the signing of Mike Moustakas alleviates the need for Senzel to play second base, Freddy Galvis is thee team’s best option at shortstop. Though he’s only played one professional inning at the position, one would think Senzel could make the transition.

In terms of trading away one of the best young players in your organization, the only way I can see Cincinnati dealing Senzel is if the Reds are able to work out a deal with the Cleveland Indians for their superstar Francisco Lindor. While Senzel has the potential to eventually reach the same level as Lindor, the Indians shortstop is a four-time All-Star with game-altering capabilities.

Whether playing center field, shortstop, or any other position on the field, Nick Senzel can be a difference maker. If Senzel were to be the centerpiece of a trade for Lindor, while tough, I think the Reds would have to include last year’s rookie in that deal. However, no other player, likely to be on the trade block, is worth sacrificing Senzel’s future in Cincinnati.