4 bad contracts swaps the Reds could entertain to facilitate Jeimer Candelario trade

Ever since Terry Francona was hired to take over as the Cincinnati Reds new manager, several nuggets have emerged from the front office. Players like Jonathan India, Matt McLain, and Spencer Steer may be switching positions, Noelvi Marte is headed to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic, Elly De La Cruz won't be moved to the outfield, and the 2025 budget isn't set just yet.

But amongst all the chatter, one name has been absent; Jeimer Candelario. After signing a three-year, $45 million contract last offseason, Candelario has failed to impress. Some of his struggles were due to injury, but in general, Candelario's contract is already looking like a sunken cost heading into next season.

But there might be a way for the Reds to trade Candelario (and his remaining $30 million salary) this offseason. But in order to do so, Cincinnati will have to take on another bad contract.

4 bad contracts swaps the Reds could entertain to facilitate Jeimer Candelario trade

Trading away bad contracts is nothing new. But in order to pull it off, you need one of two things. The team taking on the bad contract oftentimes will look to offset the added cost by receiving some highly-regarded prospects in return. In essence, the team offloading the player with the bad contract must also surrender some good, young talent.

The other way is to swap one bad deal for another. The Reds did something to this effect back in 2018 when Homer Bailey was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati received Matt Kemp as part of the return. At the time, Bailey was owed $25 million and Kemp's contract had an average annual value of $20 million. Other players and prospects were part of the deal as well like Yasiel Puig and Jeter Downs.

With that in mind, could the Reds find a trade partner to take on Candelario's contract this offseason? If so, they'd likely have to absorb another bad deal in return. Would any of these bad contracts make sense?

Jordan Montgomery, LHP (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Jordan Montgomery's 2024 season couldn't have gone much worse. After lingering on the free agent market for months, Montgomery finally agreed to terms with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The deal was for one year with a $25 million vesting option for 2025. Montgomery reached the 23 start threshold and will be eligible to return to the desert next season.

But based on what's been said by the D-backs' ownership, it's unlikely that Monty will return.Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick called adding Montgomery the team's biggest mistake of the offseason. Yikes! The relationship between the D-backs and Monty is likely strained and a contract swap for Candelario could prove beneficial for both sides.

Christian Walker, Arizona's first baseman, is a free agent this offseason. the D-backs and Reds could work out a trade that would sent Candelario to Arizona while allowing Montgomery to help bolster the Reds starting rotation. While a bit more costly next season, the Reds would free up $15 million for the 2026 season.

Sonny Gray, RHP (St. Louis Cardinals)

This is the one that most Reds fans want to see. And quite honestly, it could happen. The St. Louis Cardinals are reworking their entire front office and becoming more focused on internal development. This could work to the Reds' advantage.

Sonny Gray's contract is backloaded, so if this trade took place, the Reds would be taking back a ton of salary. But unloading Candelario's contract (while also giving up some mid-tier prospects) might be enough to get this type of deal done.

Reds fans always hate the idea of trading within the NL Central, but if it means getting a frontline starter like Gray, it could be well worth the risk. The downside, however, is that Gray's 2024 campaign did not mimic that of his 2023 season in which he finished second in the AL Cy Young voting. There are so many reasons this type of trade could work, not the least of which is St. Louis' need to replace free agent to-be Paul Goldschmidt at first base.

Lance McCullers Jr., RHP (Houston Astros)

This one is a bit risky. Scratch that; it's very risky. Lance McCullers Jr. hasn't pitched since 2022 and is still owed $36 million through the 2026 season. McCullers has suffered a number of injuries over the years, including most recently season-ending surgery in 2023 to repair a flexor tendon.

The Houston Astros will be looking to dump McCullers' contract this winter. Houston fell short of the ALCS for the first time in seven seasons and will be looking to make some pricey upgrades to their roster this offseason. Alex Bregman will be a free agent this offseason, and the Astros will be looking to extend Framber Valdez and Kyle Tucker before they enter the open market after next season.

There is definite risk attached to this acquisition. But in the 72 games prior to his injury, McCullers was 30-16 with 3.39 ERA and 55.6% ground ball rate. If the medicals check out and no other players are involved in this potential deal, it may be worth it for both teams.

Kyle Freeland, LHP (Colorado Rockies)

Kyle Freeland signed a five-year, $64.5 million deal in 2022 with a vesting option for the 2026 season. Freeland would have to reach 170 innings pitched next season in order to exercise that option. Freeland has only eclipsed that mark twice in his eight major league seasons, so the southpaw may only have one year remaining on his contract.

Freeland does a good job of keeping free runners off the base paths, but he struggles in just about every other facet of the game. Over the past two seasons, Freeland has posted a combined 5.12 ERA and allowed 51 home runs.

Freeland is not a strikeout pitcher and he doesn't get soft contact — which makes this contract swap less appealing. But if Derek Johnson can somehow work his magic and turn Freeland into a serviceable No. 5 starter, this trade could work.

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