1 trade candidate from every MLB team that the Reds should consider

Might we see Nick Krall do some wheeling and dealing during the offseason?

Cincinnati Reds General Manager Nick Krall
Cincinnati Reds General Manager Nick Krall / Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY
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The offseason is when you build your team, and this offseason, Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall has a clear task in front of him - put together a roster that can compete for a playoff spot in 2024.

The books are clear - Joey Votto's $25-million salary is no longer an excuse. The Reds only have two players (Hunter Greene and Luke Maile) under contract for next season heading into this winter.

While the Reds can certainly look to improve the roster through free agency, trades seem to be something that Krall excels at, and it may very well be the best way for Cincinnati to build a contender in 2024.

There are bound to be opposing GMs looking at the Reds' deep farm system with quiet awe, hoping to swing a trade for a young prospect. What is one trade candidate from every MLB team the Reds should consider?

1 trade candidate from every AL East team that the Reds should consider

Baltimore Orioles: Anthony Santander, OF

  • This would seem unlikely, but perhaps the presence of Colton Cowser in the O's farm system allows Baltimore to part ways with the switch-hitting power bat. Anthony Santander is due a hefty raise through arbitration and will be a free agent after 2024.

Tampa Bay Rays: Tyler Glasnow, RHP

  • If the Reds want to swing for the fences, landing an ace like Tyler Glasnow to be the team's Opening Day starter would certainly qualify. Glasnow is owed $25-million in 2024 and will be a free agent the following offseason.

Toronto Blue Jays: Yusei Kikuchi, LHP

  • The Blue Jays have an abudance of starting pitching and could be willing to deal from their surplus of hurlers in exchange for a solid bat. Toronto is likely to lose Matt Chapman and Whit Merrifield this winter to free agency. Kikuchi owned a 3.86 ERA in 2023.

New York Yankees: Jonathan Loáisiga, RHP

  • The Reds relief corps was absolutely gassed by the end of last season, and the front office will surely look to add some sigificant pieces this offseason. Jonathan Loáisiga missed most of last season after having a bone spur removed from his elbow, but is a solid relief option.

Boston Red Sox: Tanner Houck, RHP

  • Tanner Houck does not become a free agent until 2028, so the right-hander certainly fits the Reds' timeline. No one really knows which direction the Boston Red Sox are heading, but spending may be at a mininum, and the new front office may be looking to acquire young prospects.

1 trade candidate from every AL Central team that the Reds should consider

Minnesota Twins: Simeon Woods-Richardson, RHP

  • Simeon Woods-Richardson hasn't had much success in the big leagues, but did put up good numbers during his minor league season in 2022. The 23-year-old could give the Cincinnati Reds some added depth in the rotation.

Detroit Tigers: Alex Faedo, RHP

  • The Tigers would seem like an unlikely trade partner for the Reds, as they're looking to build on the improvements they made in 2023. Perhaps a former first-round pick like Alex Faedo could be had for the right price. The right-hander might work better out of the bullpen than acting as a starter.

Cleveland Guardians: Cal Quantrill, RHP

  • While Shane Bieber is likely to draw a lot of attention this offseason, Cal Quantrill has two more years of team-control remaining. After injuries plagued the right-hander throughout most the season, he salvaged his 2023 campaign with a solid showing in September.

Chicago White Sox: Dylan Cease, RHP

  • Tyler Glasnow was mentioned earlier, but Dylan Cease might be the better fit for the Cincinnati Reds. While likely to cost an arm and leg in return, Cease has two years remaining before he hits free agency and nearly won the AL Cy Young Award in 2022.

Kansas City Royals: Brady Singer, RHP

1 trade candidate from every AL West team that the Reds should consider

Houston Astros: Jose Urquidy, RHP

  • After an up-and-down, injury-riddled 2023 season, Jose Urquidy returned during the Astros' postseason run and got the win during Game 4 of the ALDS. Urquidy is a big-game pitcher who's had success under the bright lights and would be a terrific addition to the Reds this offseason.

Texas Rangers: Jon Gray, RHP

  • Jon Gray is under contract for two more seasons with an average annual value of $14-million. With the Rangers possibly in pursuit of Shohei Ohtani this offseason, they may be willing to part with one of their hurlers in order to free up some extra cash to pursue the likely 2023 AL MVP.

Seattle Mariners: Logan Gilbert, RHP

  • If there is just one pitcher the Cincinnati Reds should target this offseason, it's Logan Gilbert. Securing the right-hander will require a hefty return, but with his pitch repertoire and four years of team-control, Gilbert would be well worth the cost.

Los Angeles Angels: Brandon Drury, IF

  • This list can't be comprised of all pitchers, right? Seriously though, with the Reds rumored pursuit of Jeimer Candelario, why not just target Brandon Drury instead? Drury has the same positional flexibility, power from the right side, familiarity with the clubhouse, and is only under contract through 2024.

Oakland Athletics: Austin Pruitt, RHP

  • The Oakland A's hate to spend money, and Austin Pruitt is entering his second year of arbitration eligibility. The right-hander, who owed a sparkling 2.98 ERA last season, would be a fine addition to the Cincinnati Reds bullpen.

1 trade candidate from every NL East team that the Reds should consider

Atlanta Braves: Darius Vines, RHP

  • A bit of an unkown, Darius Vines made his major league debut last season. The right-hander was sent to the Arizona Fall League this year and could be worth an inquiry on the part of Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall.

Philadelphia Phillies: Christian Pache, OF

  • Christian Pache would be the perfect complement to Jake Fraley or Will Benson in the Cincinnati outfield. Pache absolutely raked against left-handed pitching in 2023 and would be a solid platoon option with speed.

Miami Marlins: Steven Okert, LHP

  • A high-volume strike thrower, Steven Okert would be a fine addition to a Cincinnati Reds bullpen that currently lacks left-handed depth. Alex Young is a non-tender candidate and Reiver Sanmartin will be out to begin the season following Tommy John surgery.

New York Mets: Pete Alonso, 1B

  • This is, obviously, a bit of a pipedream. But for all those Reds fans who want to see the team target a right-handed power bat, you're not going to get much better than the Polar Bear. The dowside, of course, is that Pete Alonso is free agent after 2024 and it's going to cost a small fortune to keep him.

Washington Nationals: Lane Thomas, OF

  • Lane Thomas will not come cheap, but the Washington Nationals outfielder would be a terrific addition to the young Reds core. Thomas, 28, is under team-control for two more seasons and mashed 28 homers in 2023.

1 trade candidate from every NL Central team that the Reds should consider

Milwaukee Brewers: Freddy Peralta, RHP

  • The Brew Crew is on the verge of following the Reds' lead and tearing the whole thing down. With Brandon Woodruff likely out for the entire 2024 season and Corbin Burnes one year away from free agency, would the Brewers be willing to trade Freddy Peralta? The right-hander recorded over 200 Ks last season and posted a 3.86 ERA.

Chicago Cubs: Christopher Morel, IF/OF

  • There are reports that the Chicago Cubs are looking to move Christopher Morel to first base, but that plan could go up in smoke if Cody Bellinger is re-signed. It feels as though the Cubbies have never really had a clear vision of how they wanted to use Morel. The 24-year-old posted an OPS over .800 in 2023 with 26 round-trippers.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Mitch Keller, RHP

  • It sounds as if the Buccos will look to lock up Mitch Keller with a contract extension this offseason, but if the two sides are unable to come to an agreement, the right-hander would look pretty good with a wishbone "C" on his cap next season. Keller is under team-control through 2025 and logged nearly 200 innings last season.

St. Louis Cardinals: Brendan Donovan, IF/OF

  • Brendan Donovan is essentially the St. Louis Cardinals' left-handed hitting version of Spencer Steer. Donovan plays all over the diamond and is still pre-arbitration eligible. Donovan is said to be available this winter, but with the Cardinals targeting pitchers in return, it's very unlikely the two rivals work out any type of deal.

1 trade candidate from every NL West team that the Reds should consider

Los Angeles Dodgers: Walker Buehler, RHP

  • The Dodgers have some work to do this offseason, and most of it revolves around pitching. So, it may be presumptuous to assume they'd part ways with Walker Buehler. The right-hander is recovering from his second Tommy John surgery, and while that's a risk, Buehler is a frontline starter.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Kyle Lewis, CF

  • The former AL Rookie of the Year was hoping a change of scenery would help him return to form, but Kyle Lewis played in less than 20 games and never really got going in 2023. It would seem as though he's no longer part of the D-backs long-term plans, and perhaps the Reds could take a flier on the 28-year-old outfielder.

San Diego Padres: Tom Cosgrove, LHP

  • It's not every day you see a 27-year-old rookie, but Tom Cosgrove was able to put together a very good first year in the bigs in 2023. With several years of team-control remaining, Cosgrove could be a long-term fit in the Reds bullpen.

San Francisco Giants: Wilmer Flores, 1B

  • If Jeimer Candelario is on the Reds' radar, why not look to Wilmer Flores instead? The 31-year-old was a one-man wrecking crew when facing Cincinnati last season and also posted 23 homers with an OPS of .863. Flores is under contract through next season with an option for 2025.

Colorado Rockies: Justin Lawrence, RHP

  • A former 12th-round draft pick, Justin Lawrence logged 75 innings pitched in 2023. The 28-year-old could add some length to the Cincinnati Reds bullpen and won't be a free agent until after the 2028 season. The right-hander posted a 3.72 ERA last season and struck out 78 batters.

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