Reds: 3 trade proposals with the Yankees involving Tyler Naquin

The Cincinnati Reds need help. The bullpen has been an epic disaster this season, and with little to no help available from within the organization, Cincinnati’s front office may need to look elsewhere if they hope to salvage the 2021 season.

The New York Yankees have been a frequent trade partner in the past, and perhaps Reds GM Nick Krall should give Brian Cashman a call. The Bronx Bombers are in desperate need of outfield help, something that Cincinnati’s roster is ripe with. Could the Yankees and Reds make a deal that would be mutually beneficial for both sides? Let’s see.

1. Reds trade Tyler Naquin to Yankees for immediate bullpen help.

Tyler Naquin has been a bright spot for the Cincinnati Reds so far this season, but if we’re being honest, it would be surprising to see the left-handed hitting slugger on the roster by the July 30th deadline. Cincinnati has the right-handed hitting Nick Senzel as their everyday centerfielder, and Shogo Akiyama is under contract through next season at a pretty steep price.

The Reds made a very shrewd move signing the former Cleveland Indians outfielder to a minor-league deal during spring training. With Akiyama out of the lineup due to a family emergency and later a hamstring injury, Naquin was given the opportunity to show that he could man center field on a regular basis.

Naquin is a left-handed power bat, something that our friends over at Yanks Go Yard think the Bronx Bombers are in need of. Naquin would be an inexpensive pickup for the Yankees, and the Reds could sell-high before an injury befalls the 30-year-old who’s only played over 100 games once in his career.

Could the Cincinnati Reds reel in two, young bullpen arms in exchange for Tyler Naquin? Albert Abreu and Nestor Cortez Jr. would certainly boost the Reds bullpen. The 25-year-old Abreu is currently in Triple-A, though he’s pitched well in four games for New York this season. Cortez Jr. doesn’t have the greatest track record, but it would give David Bell another left-handed option.