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

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.

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.