Reds: 1 trade to make and 1 trade to avoid with the Twins

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Jun 21, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) reaches first base before Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (19) can catch the ball for a single. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Might the Reds and Twins be able to work out a trade in the coming days?

The Minnesota Twins are officially selling this July. Yesterday, news broke of a trade between the Twins and the Tampa Bay Rays, sending designated hitter Nelson Cruz to last year’s American League Champions. What’s one trade the Cincinnati Reds should work out with the Minnesota Twins and what’s one trade they should avoid?

The Redlegs look to be buyers as the trade talks heat up, though if the team lays an egg this weekend against the St. Louis Cardinals, we may be having a different conversation next Monday. But, for now, Cincinnati should be looking for additions to the major league roster, not subtractions.

The Twins offer an interesting array of talent, both at the major league and minor league level. That said, Minnesota is unlikely to move any of their minor league pieces, and if Cincinnati is serious about contending for the National League Central Division title, they should be focused on big league additions only.

Minnesota has a few veterans on one-year deals, and those types of players are likely to be intriguing, not only to Cincinnati, but several other ball clubs throughout the league. The Reds should definitely take a look at the crop of relievers in Rocco Baldelli’s bullpen, as the Cincinnati relief corps is among the worst in baseball.

So, which Twins’ player might pique the Reds’ interest and spark a conversation? And, which player on Minnesota’s roster should Cincinnati avoid all together. It’s that time of year, and the rumors are sure to be flying.

SEATTLE – JUNE 16: Taylor Rogers #55 of the Minnesota Twins pitches during the game. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

The Reds should make a trade for Twins’ reliever Taylor Rogers.

This is a no-brainer. The Cincinnati Reds do not have a reliable left-handed reliever in their bullpen. Heck, with Tejay Antone and Lucas Sims on the injured list, you could make the argument that David Bell doesn’t have a reliable reliever at all. Making a deal for Taylor Rogers is exactly the type of move that Nick Krall should be investigating.

Not only is Rogers having a terrific season in the Twin Cities, but the southpaw is also under team control through next season. That would give the Reds a reliable reliever for this season and next year as well. You know, kind of like Archie Bradley, whom the team foolishly allowed to leave this winter.

Rogers is a difference maker; a word that Bell can’t use for any relievers currently on the team’s active roster. In 38 games, Rogers owns a 3.43 ERA and 35.2% strikeout-rate in 38 games. Rogers also has a 2.20 FIP, suggesting he’s pitched even better than his numbers indicate. The 30-year-old also has a ground ball-rate north of 50%, which is highly coveted while pitching in Cincinnati.

The question becomes, however, what’s it going to cost the Reds in order to land Rogers? Well, let’s just say he won’t come cheap. Minnesota seems more inclined to hang onto their controllable assets, as it’s assumed that this hiccup in 2021 will be a blip on the radar and the Twins will be back to competing for the division crown in 2022.

I think, realistically, Cincinnati would have to be willing to give up one of their Top 10 prospects plus a mid-level player within their farm system in order to snag Taylor Rogers. That means a player like Rece Hinds, Tyler Callihan, or Lyon Richardson might have to be sacrificed if the Reds hope to make a trade with the Twins for Rogers.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JULY 6: Andrelton Simmons #9 of the Minnesota Twins walks to the dugout. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

The Reds should avoid a trade for Twins’ shortstop Andrelton Simmons.

Prior to the 2021 season, every fan throughout Reds Country was clamoring for Cincinnati to sign an established shortstop. Oftentimes, Andrelton Simmons‘ name rose to the top. However, after seeing the type of season the 31-year-old has put together for the Twins, the fanbase should be ecstatic Nick Krall didn’t sign the former Angels’ shortstop.

Simmons signed a one-year/$10.5M contract with the Twins this past offseason. The Reds were said to be in the mix for Simmons, Didi Gregorius, and Marcus Semien. Of that trio, only Semien is having a successful season, so despite the vitriol directed at Cincinnati’s brass for failing to sign a shortstop this winter, unless it was Semien, Reds fans would’ve been highly disappointed.

The Twins will no doubt be looking to trade Simmons at the deadline, and the Cincinnati Reds should avoid a trade for Minnesota infielder at all costs. Yes, Simmons has been an elite defender throughout his career, but only has 2 defensive runs saved over the past two seasons in which he’s played 921.2 innings at shortstop. Kyle Farmer has 1 DRS since 2020, covering 601.2 innings.

Farmer’s 74 wRC+ and .227 batting average are not inspiring, but neither is Simmons’ 67 wRC+ and identical .227 batting average. If choosing between the two, the Reds should continue to keep Farmer at shortstop and save the over $3M still owed to Simmons for the remainder of the 2021 season.

Next. Ranking the Reds top trade targets at the deadline

Furthermore, if the Cincinnati Reds are really looking for a shortstop at this stage of the game, the front office might as well recall Jose Barrero. Last year’s rookie is demolishing minor league pitching and seems primed to bring both his bat and his glove to the big leagues.

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