Reds rumors: Cincinnati prioritizing starting SS via trade or free agency

The latest Reds rumors will make the fanbase very happy.

After lamenting the play of the team’s starting shortstops during the 2020 season, the latest Reds rumors should help ease the fears throughout Reds Country. According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Cincinnati Reds are prioritize the addition of a starting shortstop this offseason.

Morosi went on to report that Cincinnati may entertain filling the position through either a trade or signing one of the talented free agent shortstops available. This list would include the likes of Francisco Lindor, Trevor Story, Marcus Semien, Andrelton Simmons, and Didi Gregorius.

There’s a lot to unpack here, but the biggest takeaway from these latest Reds rumors is that Nick Krall and the Cincinnati front office will not be content entering the 2021 season with Kyle Farmer or José García as the team’s starting shortstop.

In my opinion, the inclusion of Francisco Lindor is a bit of a pipe dream. I never say never, but the price tag attached to a player like Lindor is likely to be sky-high, and something that Cincinnati will steer clear of.

The idea of trading for Trevor Story, however, is an intriguing one. If the Reds could persuade the Colorado Rockies to part ways with the two-time All-Star, Cincinnati’s lineup would become much more formidable. Story, for his career, is a .277 hitter who has both power and speed on the base paths.

The free agent options this season are intriguing, and it may come down to price. Marcus Semien, who was an MVP candidate just two years ago, didn’t produce during the abbreviated 2020 regular season. However, his bat came alive during the Oakland Athletics’ postseason run. Semien would be a good stopgap option, keeping the seat warm for García.

Simmons is not as exciting a name to me. Yes, the four-time Gold Glove award winner is the best defensive shortstop among those mentioned, but it was in the batter’s box where the Cincinnati Reds struggled last season. Simmons has never been more than an above-average presence in the batter’s box with a career OPS of .696.

Reuniting with Didi Gregorius was an idea that was floated around last winter, but instead of returning to Cincinnati, the former Reds farmhand decided to sign a one-year/$14M deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. Might Cincinnati look to bring Gregorius back home?

Overall, these latest Reds rumors have to be music to the ears of Cincinnati’s fanbase. There has been some fear surrounding the question of who the team might select to play shortstop in 2021. If these latest rumors are true, look for the Cincinnati Reds to swing a deal or make a significant signing in the coming weeks.