Cincinnati Reds: Three reasons to avoid trading for Willy Adames

1. The Reds would have to give up A LOT to land Willy Adames.

The Tampa Bay Rays are not in any rush to move Willy Adames, but the team’s senior vice president of baseball operations and general manager Erik Neander will not want to miss out on an opportunity to improve his ball club for the long haul. After dealing Blake Snell to the San Diego Padres earlier this winter, it’s obvious that the Rays feel confident in the way they do business.

In order to bring Willy Adames to the Cincinnati Reds, general manager Nick Krall will have to get creative. Tampa Bay is a low-budget organization, so any potential deal would likely center around young prospects who’ve yet to reach the major leagues or pre-arbitration eligible players. Who might that include?

The Reds have a few players who fit that mold that may entice the Rays to make a deal. Nick Senzel, Jesse Winker, and Tyler Mahle are some of the major league-ready talent Neander could target. In terms of prospects, Nick Lodolo, Hunter Greene, Rece Hinds, Michael Siani, and Jonathan India all hold a certain level of value as well.

Willy Adames will not come cheap. Even though the Rays’ top prospect Wander Franco is ready for The Show, there’s no rush to get the 19-year-old to the big leagues right away. In fact, Joey Wendle could hold down the fort until midseason, and the Rays could then elevate Franco the active roster.