Cincinnati Reds: Three reasons to avoid trading for Willy Adames

What are the downfalls if the Reds make a deal for Willy Adames?

The Cincinnati Reds need a shortstop. As it stands currently, Cincinnati would enter the 2021 season with either Kyle Farmer or José García playing the position. Farmer is a fine ballplayer, but it better suited for a utility role, and García only has 67 major league at-bats. Trading for Willy Adames is a possibility, but there are some concerns if the Reds and Rays swing a deal.

Cincinnati completely missed the boat this winter. The front office had one major goal and it was to upgrade the shortstop position. Marcus Semien, Andrelton Simmons, Didi Gregorius, and even Freddy Galvis have all signed elsewhere. Even last night, the Kansas City Royals agreed to a deal with Hanser Alberto. If the Reds want to upgrade, it’s going to have to come through a trade.

Tampa Bay’s starting shortstop isn’t necessarily “on the market”, but the presence of baseball’s No. 1 prospect, Wander Franco, waiting in the wings makes Adames expendable. The Rays have consistently shown a propensity to offload players sooner rather than later; a strategy that’s worked out well for them as evidenced by their trip to the World Series last year.

Adames represents aa clear upgrade over Farmer and García. Making a trade for thee Dominican native would solidify the shortstop position for years to come and allow Cincinnati to move Farmer around the diamond while also bringing García up through the farm system. However, there are some drawbacks to trading for Adames. What might those be?