2. Reds and Dodgers swap All-Stars
The Cincinnati Reds landed Trevor Bauer in trade with the Cleveland Indians last summer that sent Yasiel Puig and No. 1 prospect Taylor Trammell out of town. Would the Reds front office really turn around and trade Bauer this offseason after the right-hander pitched in just 10 games last season for Cincinnati?
The possibility certainly exists. In fact, while we here in Reds Country expect the team to compete in 2020, if Cincinnati struggles by the time the July trade deadline comes around, the prospects of trading Bauer could become very real. The right-hander will be a free agent following next season and Cincinnati is highly unlikely to re-sign Bauer to a multi-year extension.
If Bauer is dealt, the Reds would still have a tremendous starting rotation. Cincinnati added Wade Miley this winter, signing the left-handed to a two-year deal. Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray went to the All-Star Game last season, and Anthony DeSclafani put together a solid season. Tyler Mahle could slot in as the team’s No. 5 starter, a position is filled the majority of last season.
In addition to Bauer, the Reds may have to include a reliever such as Joel Kuhnel. A young power-arm in the Reds system, Kuhnel pitched in just 11 games for Cincinnati last year. The right-hander had a 4.66 ERA in 9.2 innings of work following 41 appearances in the minors in which he put up a 2.18 ERA in 53.2 innings.