Cincinnati Reds: 3 bold predictions for remainder of the offseason

1. The Reds deal Sonny Gray to the Minnesota Twins.

If any of the rumored trades are going down this offseason, Sonny Gray is the most likely player to be dealt. We’ve heard Gray’s name mentioned early and often this offseason, and after seeing what the Tampa Bay Rays received in exchange for Blake Snell, I think we’ll see Nick Krall work out a deal with the Minnesota Twins front office.

The Twins are one of the top teams in the American League, but the Chicago White Sox are nipping at their heels in the AL Central Division. If the Twins want to push themselves into contention for AL pennant, making a deal fo Sonny Gray would certainly do that. But what would the Reds get in return for the two-time All-Star?

If the Cincinnati Reds are intent on trading Gray this offseason, they have to receive a Top 100 prospect in return. Currently, the Twins have four Top 100 prospects according to MLB Pipeline, and while Reds Country would love to have Royce Lewis in the team’s farm system, a more likely candidate would be Jordan Balazovic.

The 22-year-old hurler is major-league ready and could be paired with a few other prospects in order to pry Sonny Gray away from the Queen City. Minnesota could include outfielder/ first baseman Brent Rooker and right-hander Dakota Chalmers in order to complete the trade. While Reds fans may initially balk at the idea, that’s a substantial return for Gray services.