Cincinnati Reds: Three prospects who might be traded

Will the Reds part with any of their top prospects?

The Cincinnati Reds have made it a point to be competitive in 2020, but the results have not matched the team’s ambition. However, with the MLB trade deadline quickly approaching, if the Reds want to make some additions to this year’s roster, now is the time. It’ll cost the Reds if they wish to add some proven MLB-ready talent. Are some of Cincinnati’s prospects up for grabs?

Now, the 2020 season offers some interesting angles when it comes to trades. Teams are only able to trade players within the organization’s 60-man player pool. So, players like this past draft’s  first-round pick Austin Hendrick and outfielder Michael Siani are off limits. However, the likes of Tony Santillan and last year’s second-round pick Rece Hinds are up for grabs.

With the Cincinnati Reds recent promotion of José García, there’s no way the team’s future shortstop will be on the trade block. It’s also highly-unlikely that top catching prospect Tyler Stephenson will be made available either. But, for a team that’s looking to compete now, perhaps Dick Williams and Nick Krall cannot afford to wait.

Before last season, we saw the Reds ship out top prospects like Jeter Downs, Shed Long and Josiah Gray. Cincinnati also parted ways with top prospect Taylor Trammell at last year’s deadline. Will any of the Reds top young guns be dealt before August 31st? Let’s look at a few names that might become available.

1. Reds top infield prospect Jonathan India could be on the move.

If the Reds want to get the most bang for their buck, Jonathan India may be one their best prospects to be shipped out of town. According to MLB Pipeline, India ranks as the third-best prospect in Cincinnati’s farm system and the team’s best young infielder. India was taken in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft.

This is less about India’s production, which hasn’t been all that great, but rather the position he plays. India’s ready and waiting for his big break, but given the recent promotion of José García, he may have to wait a bit longer. India’s primary position is third base, which is obviously locked down by one of the Reds best players, Eugenio Suárez.

Beyond Suárez, the Reds have Mike Moustakas at the ready in the event an injury occurs. There’s also do-everything utility man Kyle Farmer available to fill in at third base on occasion. Even Nick Senzel, who was further along than India at this point in his professional career, had to move to the outfield in order to find a spot on the team’s roster.

Jonathan India just seems like he’s blocked at virtually every position. With Suárez, García and Moustakas occupying the infield for the foreseeable future, it’s hard to envision India breaking into the bigs anytime soon. His inability to find a permanent home on the major league roster may be the biggest reason that India becomes available in trade discussions.

3. Is there a spot in the Reds rotation for Tony Santillan?

You always hate to give up on a pitcher, especially one with the talent of Tony Santillan. But, there’s a chance that a few other players have passed Santillan by. The right-hander did not make the type of progress that Cincinnati’s front office had hoped for last season and some of the other Reds hurlers may be better positioned for a spot in next year’s rotation.

Trevor Bauer is a free agent this winter and will likely command a huge salary that I cannot envision the Reds matching. Anthony DeSclafani is also a free agent this offseason. While likely to ask for a more amenable salary, the Reds have a ton of young pitching talent and may be quite content to allow both Bauer and Disco to test the free agent market.

If both right-handers exit during the offseason, what might the 2021 Cincinnati Reds starting rotation look like? Obviously Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray will still be on the roster, and one would think that Tyler Mahle has the inside track for one of the vacancies. Wade Miley is under contract for one more season as well.

That leaves at least one more spot in the starting rotation up for grabs. With Tejay Antone making a positive impression on the Cincinnati coaching staff, you have to figure that he’ll be in the mix for the team’s fifth starter. Last year’s No. 7 overall pick Nick Lodolo will likely be competing for that spot as well.

Unless the Reds are looking to transition Tony Santillan to the bullpen, which is a possibility, it may be difficult to find a spot in the starting rotation for the 23-year-old. Santillan is a power-pitcher, the type that many scouts drool over. He may be on the trade block if the right offer comes around.