Cincinnati Reds: 3 mutually beneficial trade packages for Aristides Aquino

It’s time for the Reds to move on from Aristides Aquino.

While it would be a tough pill to swallow for a good majority of Reds fans, the writing is on the wall. It’s time for the Cincinnati Reds to move on from Aristides Aquino. The Punisher’s role has been diminished to little more than a bench bat, but he still holds value in a trade.

Once an arbiter ruled that Aquino was not eligible for a fourth minor-league option, his standing with the team took a hit. Were it not for an injury to Shogo Akiyama that has kept the Japanese outfielder out of action, chances are good that Aquino might not have made the Opening Day roster.

Tyler Naquin’s red-hot start to the 2021 season has only put Aquino’s spot on the active roster in further jeopardy. You have to squint really hard to see Aquino on this club much past the month of May. With that being the prevailing thought, perhaps the Reds should entertain the idea of trading the 26-year-old rather than losing him for nothing.

Aquino is no slouch, but his ability to hit opposing pitchers’ breaking stuff is questionable at best. The Punisher, however, still has power that few in the game of baseball possess, and he’s also an above-average defender who can play all three outfield positions. It just so happens that the Reds are stocked up on outfielders for the present, and the future.

If the Cincinnati Reds decide to designate Aquino for assignment in the coming days or weeks, he’ll be subject to waivers. Several rebuilding teams are likely to take an interest and it’s hard to see all 29 teams passing on his talent. So, rather than lose Aquino for nothing, or to a rival ball club, let’s see if any of these three trade proposals would be worthwhile.