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

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.