Reds: 3 potential trade packages for injury-riddled New York Mets

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CINCINNATI, OHIO – MAY 23: Shogo Akiyama #4 of the Cincinnati Reds bats in the fifth inning. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

The New York Mets are in desperate need of help amid a flurry injuries that have hampered the NL East leaders over the past few weeks. The Mets are without Kevin Pillar, Albert Almora Jr., Michael Conforto, Jeff McNeil, and Brandon Nimmo. Could the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds make a deal that would be mutually beneficial?

The Reds have an influx of talented outfielders, and that includes Nick Senzel, who’s currently on the injured list. Might one of Cincinnati’s outfielders be expendable? According to reports, the Mets are looking at potential trade scenarios to help their battered and bruised ball club. Would the Mets even be interested?

The trick with a trade at this point in time is that Cincinnati would be unwilling to give up a big name like Nick Castellanos, because that would essentially be giving up on the season. However, New York isn’t just going to settle for a player like Kyle Farmer, who’s likely not an upgrade over one of the Mets’ internal options.

So what are some possible trade scenarios that help both teams? Let’s explore a handful of potential deals that would help New York offset the current rash of injuries while also netting the Reds some much needed bullpen help.

1. Reds ship Shogo Akiyama to the Big Apple.

Shogo Akiyama has not been the player that Reds fans thought they were going to see after Cincinnati made the big splash signing in December of 2019. The left-handed hitting Akiyama has served more of a reserve role since returning to the Cincinnati Reds lineup earlier this month.

Akiyama’s remaining two years and $15M on his current contract will not be easy to shed. If the Reds wish to part with Shogo, it’ll cost them a prospect or two. Perhaps a player like Ivan Johnson would sweeten the deal, and the Reds could also throw in former Tampa Bay Rays’ prospect José De León.

But what could Cincinnati hope to get in return? Honestly, not much, but we saw the Reds make similar type of deal this offseason by dumping Raisel Iglesias and his $9M salary on the Los Angeles Angels in return for a reliever and Low-A infield prospect.

Would New York be willing to part with Robert Gsellman and Jacob Barnes? Neither is going to be a stalwart performer out of the bullpen, but it would give Nick Krall and David Bell a few more options. The Reds pen is currently in shambles. Both Gsellman and Barnes have one year of team-control remaining and Gsellman has two minor league options as well.

CINCINNATI, OHIO – MAY 20: Tyler Naquin #12 of the Cincinnati Reds strikes out in the first inning. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

2. Reds ship Tyler Naquin to New York for pitching prospects.

Several fans might not like the comparison, but I have to wonder if Tyler Naquin’s early-season success will mimic that of Derek Dietrich? Naquin currently owns an OPS of .850 and his 10 home runs and 30 RBIs have been quite impressive. But do the Reds see Naquin as a longterm answer in the outfield?

Don’t forget, Cincinnati signed Naquin to a minor league deal after he was cut loose by the Cleveland Indians. Naquin’s always been a highly-regarded player, but he’s been unable to stay healthy. He hasn’t played more than 90 games since his rookie season in 2016.

In the meantime, Cincinnati has shuffled their outfield to allow for Naquin’s power-bat to be in the lineup on a regular basis. We’ve seen Nick Senzel more on the infield dirt than ever before, but Shogo Akiyama and his $15M contract are sitting on the bench collecting dust. Should the Reds sell high on Tyler Naquin before it’s too late?

I wouldn’t expect for Nick Krall to land a king’s ransom for the 30-year-old outfielder, but perhaps the Reds GM could snag a couple of talented arms from New York’s farm system. Both Jordany Ventura and Michael Otanez are ranked among the Mets’ Top 30 prospects according to MLB Pipeline. If the Reds don’t see Naquin as an everyday outfielder beyond 2021, it’s time to trade him.

PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 10: Nick Senzel #15 of the Cincinnati Reds in action. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

3. Reds send Nick Senzel to the Mets for two talented arms.

Nick Senzel is a great player, when he’s healthy. The problem of late has been Senzel’s ability to stay on the field. The 25-year-old is currently nursing a knee injury, but it’s assumed to be minor and the former first-round pick is expected back on the field very soon. Would Cincinnati really part with their former top prospect?

Senzel’s development, in my opinion, has been slowed by more than just injuries. The Reds management turned Senzel from a talented third baseman into a serviceable centerfielder. That position change, along with changing his swing back in 2019, really hampered his ascension.

So far this season, the Reds have shuffled Nick Senzel all over the field. He’s seen time at second base, third base, and center field. The Mets would be taking a risk, adding a player who’s suffered through his fair share of injuries over the years, but there’s a ton of upside if Senzel can stay healthy.

Speaking of upside, the Cincinnati Reds could ask for solid return should they deem Senzel expendable. With several young outfielders and a bevy of third basemen in the minor leagues, Nick Krall and the Reds front office should turn their attention toward two of New York’s top pitching prospects.

Both Matt Allan and J.T. Ginn are considered by many to by two to three years away from their big league debut, but as the old saying goes, you can never have enough pitching. Allan was the Mets’ third-round pick in 2019 and has a heater that can sit in the mid-to-upper 90s. Ginn played college ball for Texas A&M, but is coming off Tommy John surgery. Both could be key rotation pieces in the future.

Next. Reds will struggle to Garcia in the minors

The fear of trading Nick Senzel is that he finally puts together a season worthy of his high draft position, and the Reds would then appear foolish for giving up on him. The other side of the coin sees the former No. 2 overall pick sustain another devastating injury, miss several months of time, and see his trade value all but disappear. It’s a difficult sell, but it could net the Reds some talented prospects in return.

Home / Reds Rumors

1. Reds ship Shogo Akiyama to the Big Apple.

2. Reds ship Tyler Naquin to New York for pitching prospects.

3. Reds send Nick Senzel to the Mets for two talented arms.

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