Cincinnati Reds: 3 mutually beneficial trade packages for Aristides Aquino

1. Reds deal Aristides Aquino to the Tigers for bullpen help.

The old adage is, “You can never have enough pitching.” With what we’ve seen from the Cincinnati Reds this season, that’s a very accurate statement. After moving on from the likes of Raisel Iglesias and Archie Bradley, the Reds bullpen has been completely remade. With a focus on missing bats, Cincinnati could use a player like Detroit Tigers’ prospect Alex Lange.

Lange, according to MLB Pipeline, is the Tigers’ No. 29 ranked prospect and made his big league debut recently versus the Cleveland Indians. The 25-year-old possesses a fastball/ slider combination that could work well out of the Cincinnati bullpen. He also has a changeup and cutter that he’ll throw on occasion.

Nick Krall made it a point this offseason that the Reds were looking for relievers with minor-league options available. This type of player gives Cincinnati the ability to move young arms back and forth between Triple-A Louisville and the bigs. It’s a strategy we’re likely to see this season and moving forward.

The Tigers are rebuilding, and despite the hot-start from Akil Baddoo, Detroit could certainly use a bat like Aquino’s in the lineup. Alex Lange, whose offseason work with Driveline would seem to make him a perfect fit in Cincinnati, but may cost the Reds a bit more in return than just Aquino. Adding a prospect like Yan Contreras or Graham Ashcraft might be enough to get a deal done.