Cincinnati Reds: Three potential trades for Corey Seager

The Cincinnati Reds are said to have had interest in Corey Seager all offseason. What might a trade for the two-time All-Star look like?

According to a recent report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Cincinnati Reds have been interested in Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager throughout the entire offseason. The Reds are obviously looking for one last piece to put them clearly in the driver’s seat heading into 2020. What might a potential trade for Seager look like?

Seager is a two-time All-Star with a career batting average of .294. With Cincinnati’s emphasis on upgrading the team’s hitting this winter, Seager would be a welcome addition. The former first-round pick took home Rookie of the Year honors in 2016 and has been a key cog in LA’s playoff runs over the past several years.

Freddy Galvis is currently slated to be the Reds Opening Day starter at shortstop. While that’s not the worst possible scenario, adding Seager would definitely be an upgrade and allow Galvis to be more of utility infielder. Cincinnati had previously been linked to Francisco Lindor, so the team’s interest in upgrading the shortstop position is clearly on the minds of Dick Williams and Nick Krall.

The Dodgers and Reds have been here before. Cincinnati dealt Homer Bailey and two prospects to Los Angeles last December in exchange for Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Alex Wood, and Kyle Farmer. But, what might a trade for Corey Seager look like? What would the Dodgers be looking for? Who would the Reds have to give up? Let’s see if we can uncover a few possibilities.

1. Disco dealt to LaLa Land

One of the biggest needs for the Los Angeles Dodgers is starting pitching. LA has lost Rich Hill and Hyun-Jin Ryu this offseason and could use an additional arm to go along with Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw. A package that included Anthony DeSclafani may be just what the Dodgers are looking for.

DeSclafani had the bounce-back year that he and the Reds were hoping for in 2019. Finally healthy, Disco started 31 games, went 9-9 and was in the Top 20 of the National League in both strikeouts and ERA. DeSclafani projects as Cincinnati’s No. 4 starter this season with the likes of Trevor Bauer, Sonny Gray, and Luis Castillo ahead of him.

If dealt to Los Angeles, Disco would likely slot into a similar position with Dodgers. Along with Buehler and Kershaw, the Dodgers are likely to include Dustin May and Ross Stripling in their starting rotation. Adding DeSclafani would give Los Angeles a formidable rotation to go along with an already explosive offense.

To sweeten the deal, Cincinnati could include Phillip Ervin. The Dodgers lineup is dominated by left-handed hitters Max Muncy, Jon Pederson, Alex Verdugo, and Cody Bellinger. During his time as manager in Los Angeles, we’ve seen Dave Roberts play the matchups. Phillip Ervin dismantled left-handed pitching last season and would be a solid bench bat for the Dodgers.

3. Package of prospects brings SS to Cincy

While major league talent may be necessary to pry Corey Seager away from the Los Angeles Dodgers, perhaps the Reds could send a couple talented prospects to Hollywood instead. Last winter, Cincinnati dealt Josiah Gray and Jeter Downs to LA and the two former farmhands are now among the Top 5 prospects in the Dodgers farm system according to MLB Pipeline.

Teams like the Dodgers are always looking for ways to improve their farm system. With the consistent success Los Angeles has had of late, snagging an early first-round draft choice isn’t in the cards. However, the Dodgers could look to boost their minor league system by dealing Corey Seager for a couple top-flight talents from the Cincinnati Reds organization.

Tony Santillan has been a valued member of the Reds farm system for quite some time. The former second-round pick is expected to make his major league debut very soon, quite possibly this coming season. The right-hander is currently No. 4 in the Reds system, according to MLB Pipeline, and has a well above-average fastball.

Another possible inclusion could be left-hander Packy Naughton. Currently No. 13 in the Reds farm system, Naughton put up a 3.32 ERA last season between Advanced-A Daytona and Double-A Chattanooga. The southpaw also struck out 131 batters. Throw in another prospect like Stuart Fairchild or a major leaguer like Josh VanMeter, and perhaps LA sends Seager to Cincinnati.

A trade for Corey Seager could go any number of ways depending on what the Dodgers may want in return. However, one thing is for sure, unlike a trade for Francisco Lindor, Nick Senzel would not have to be included in order for the Reds to land Seager. Given that, perhaps a deal for Seager is the prudent move for Cincinnati’s front office.