Cincinnati Reds: 4 possible trade packages for Sonny Gray

3. The Reds make a deal with the South Siders.

Last offseason, both the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox made major additions to their respective rosters. Cincinnati added Shogo Akiyama, Nick Castellanos, and Mike Moustakas, while Chicago signed Dallas Keuchel and Yasmai Grandal. Chicago is looking to add more pieces this offseason while Cincinnati is looking to deal.

The White Sox were in the hunt for the AL Central crown but eventually fell to the Minnesota Twins. One thing that let the South Siders down in 2020 was their starting pitching. Keucehl and Lucas Giolito were spectacular, but the other three starters (Dylan Cease, Dane Dunning, and Reynaldo Lopez), just didn’t cut it. If Chicago wants to compete, they need another starter.

If the Reds are looking to deal Sonny Gray, they must have an eye on the future. Adding pitcher Michael Kopech, left-hander Garrett Crochet and first baseman Gavin Sheets would definitely do that. Kopech is the No. 2-ranked prospect in the White Sox system according to MLB Pipeline, but missed the entire 2019 following Tommy John surgery. Kopech hasn’t pitched since 2018.

Crochet was taken with the 11th pick in this year’s MLB Draft, just ahead of Cincinnati’s choice, Austin Hendrick. The Reds were said to be very high on Crochet. Crochet was the first player since former Cincinnati draft pick Mike Leake to go straight from the draft to the majors without suiting up in the minor leagues. Throw in prospect Gavin Sheets as an eventual replacement for Joey Votto.