
3. Add depth to the Reds depleted farm system.
The Cincinnati Reds rank as the 24th-best farm system in the major leagues according to MLB.com. That cannot continue. It’s likely that José García and Tyler Stephenson become permanent fixtures in the Reds lineup by the middle of next season and Nick Lodolo could join them as well. That will weaken Cincinnati’s farm system even more.
After trading away highly-regarded prospects like Taylor Trammell, Jeter Downs, Josiah Gray, Shed Long, Stuart Fairchild and Packy Naughton, Cincinnati’s cupboard is bare. The additions of youngsters like Austin Hendrick, Rece Hinds and Tyler Callihan will help the Reds standing among other clubs once they start to see more time on the field. All three are 20-years old or younger.
There’s two ways to replenish the farm system; evaluate and draft good talent or evaluate another team’s talent and swing a trade. The past few drafts have been kind to the Cincinnati Reds. Four of their Top 10 players, according to MLB Pipeline, were taken in the past two drafts.
Former first-round pick Hunter Greene was on hand at Prasco Park this past season, as were fellow first-rounders Nick Lodolo and Jonathan India. The Reds 2020 draft pick, Austin Hendrick, is ranked as the third best player in the Cincinnati farm system, but we’re likely looking at another three to four seasons before he, along with Tyler Callihan and Rece Hinds are major league-ready.
A trade is the more expedient way to replenish the farm system, and it’s certainly an avenue that Nick Krall could explore, though I don’t think it’s very likely. The Reds have played their hand, adding free agents and making trades over the past few years with eyes towards this window of time.
It’s hard to see the Cincinnati Reds making a deal that would subtract from their current roster, but it’s possible. The Reds are a smaller market franchise that cannot afford to get sucked into poor spending habits and forgo the future. I can’t foresee the front office making many earth-shattering trades this offseason that would further erode their farm system.