Cincinnati Reds: 3 transactions that must happen immediately

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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 11: Starting pitcher Jose De Leon #87 of the Cincinnati Reds gives the baseball to manager David Bell #25 during the fifth inning. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

The Cincinnati Reds are 7-4, in first-place in the National League Central, and have the third-best record in the NL. So, while there’s no need to panic, a few adjustments need to be made. So, what three moves should the front office make immediately?

The Reds pitching staff has been about middle of the road, which is to be expected at this time of year, especially after losing Cy Young-winner Trevor Bauer, former starter Anthony DeSclafani, and relievers Archie Bradley and Raisel Iglesias. The pitching staff ranks second in strikeouts, but 10th in ERA.

Cincinnati’s bats, however, have been blistering the ball during the first 11 games of the season. Their .851 team-OPS is second in the league and the Reds lead all of Major League Baseball with 75 runs scored and 20 home runs. Yet, it feels as though there are a few transactions Nick Krall could make that would make his club even better.

1. The Reds should option José De León to the alternate site.

This move feels inevitable, doesn’t it? Sonny Gray is set to make his 2021 debut for the Reds on either Friday or Saturday. Unsurprisingly, Cincinnati’s probable starters for those games are Jeff Hoffman and José De León.

After acquiring a fourth minor-league option, De León being sent to the alternate site rather than releasing Hoffman seems like the more prudent transaction. De León has struggled with the home run, allowing four round trippers and eight earned runs over 9.1 innings. That type of production is not going to keep you in the starting rotation.

Hoffman, on the other hand, has pitched the same number of innings while only allowing one homer, nine hits, and four runs. Hoffman is also out of minor league options. Once Michael Lorenzen returns from injury, he’ll likely supplant Hoffman in the rotation.

José De León is a skilled pitcher and has the stuff to be an effective starting pitcher. The Reds could option De León to the alternate site, allowing him to continue to work as a starter, and possibly snag a spot start here and there throughout the 2021 campaign.

Apr 13, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Cam Bedrosian (46) pitches. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

2. The Reds should designate Cam Bedrosian for assignment.

The Cincinnati Reds signed Cam Bedrosian to a minor-league contract during the offseason and added the right-hander to their Opening Day roster prior to the start of the season. Bedrosian, who struck out 16 batters over 8.2 innings during Cactus League play has six Ks over 4.2 innings this season, but has also walked five batters.

Reds fans know that walks will haunt, and while it’s a small sample size, Bedrosian’s 9.64 BB/9 and 18.5% walk-rate are not helping his case to remain with the team. Those numbers are in sharp contrast to Bedrosian’s career 3.86 BB/9 and 10.0% walk-rate.

During the eighth inning of last night’s loss to the Giants, Bedrosian racked up two punch outs, but also gave two San Francisco batters a free pass. Bedrosian had similar results two days ago in the desert while facing the Arizona Diamondbacks.

It’s still very early, and having a dependable veteran presence in the bullpen can help calm the nerves of the younger relievers like Cionel Pérez and Carson Fulmer. The Reds have Heath Hembree on their taxi squad. The right-hander posted a 1.23 ERA during spring training while playing for both the Reds and the Cleveland Indians.

Cincinnati also has other options at the alternate site, including Brandon Finnegan, Riley O’Brien, and Ryan Hendrix. While Cam Bedrosian has posted a 22.2% strikeout-rate over the first two weeks of the 2021 season, those base on balls can be costly. If Bedrosian goes unclaimed, the former Los Angeles Angels reliever could find a home at the Reds’ alternate site in Louisville.

Cincinnati Reds left fielder Aristides Aquino (44) throws a ball during workouts. /

The Reds should trade outfielder Aristides Aquino.

This is painful for me to write, but the time has come for the Cincinnati Reds to say goodbye to The Punisher. I know there’s a large contingent of the fanbase, including myself, that absolutely adore Aristides Aquino and love the energy he brought to the team in August of 2019. But this league is all about what have you done for me lately?

It’s a crying shame that Aquino was not able to garner a fourth minor-league option, because I firmly believe that another year of seasoning at Triple-A could’ve helped the 26-year-old blossom into force in the middle of Cincinnati’s lineup. But, without a minor-league option remaining, the front office would have to subject Aquino to waivers before he was able to return to Louisville.

I’d wager a lot of money that some team, even in the early-going, would take a flyer on Aquino. The power and defense are there, but his inability to hit the breaking pitch has been his Achilles heel since about September of 2019.

Aristides Aquino has been relegated to a bench bat. Which, given the Reds outfield depth, is appropriate. Nick Castellanos, Jesse Winker, and Nick Senzel should all get the nod over The Punisher.

There aren’t many hitters hotter than Tyler Naquin right now, and the Reds have the likes of Scott Heineman and Mark Payton at the alternate site, not to mention, Shogo Akiyama is likely to return in a few weeks. Soon enough, Cincinnati will be forced to part ways with Aquino, so why not work out a trade to ensure The Punisher doesn’t end up with a division rival?

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There are plenty of teams that could use a bat like Aquino’s in the lineup. Any number of rebuilding teams (Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies, and Arizona Diamondbacks) could likely send a quality prospect or reliever Cincinnati’s way in exchange for The Punisher.

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