3 surprise trade candidates the Reds could deal during the 2022-23 offseason

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The Cincinnati Reds are in the middle of a rebuild. The roster is about to get a shakeup in the coming days with the non-tender deadline quickly approaching. There's also a number of prospects who'll be added to the 40-man roster in order to be protected from the Rule 5 Draft.

Unless your name is Joey Votto or Hunter Greene, chances are good that you don't feel 100% confident in your standing as a member of the Reds organization. Cincinnati proved last season that virtually anyone on the roster could be traded at any time - just ask Jesse Winker.

While trading Tucker Barnhart, Amir Garrett, and Sonny Gray were somewhat expected, dealing Winker and Eugenio Suarez came as a surprise to Reds fans last spring. What three players could surprisingly be deal during the 2022-23 offseason?

1. Reds OF TJ Friedl could surprisingly be traded during the offseason.

It would certainly be surprising if TJ Friedl was traded this offseason, especially since the 27-year-old just completed his rookie season and will be under team control for the next five years. Friedl, who made an adjustment to his swing/ approach midway through the 2022 season slashed .240/.314/.436 in 72 games for the Cincinnati Reds.

Friedl enters the offseason as one of the favorites to find some sort of role in the outfield next season. While it's fair to say that Friedl has the makings of platoon player rather than an everyday starter, the Pennsylvania native could still carve out a very nice role on next year's team.

Are there any teams out there who may be looking for a low-cost, versatile, left-handed hitting outfielder? Uh, yeah. Probably 29 of them. If one of those teams came calling would Cincinnati be willing to listen to offers or do they value what Friedl brings both in 2023 and beyond?

TJ Friedl seems like the perfect type of player that the Cincinnati Reds would love to have on next year's team; cheap, controllable, and plays a position of need. It would be surprising to see the Reds part with Friedl so soon after seeing him have success in the major leagues, but Cincinnati may be looking two-to-three years down the road.

2. Reds 2B Jonathan India could surprisingly be traded during the offseason.

Now this would certainly send Reds Country into an uproar. If Bob Castellini thought attendance was poor in 2022, trading away the 2021 National League Rookie of the Year and potential face of the franchise might make Great American Ball Park look like the Oakland Coliseum in 2023.

Jonathan India looked to be a rising star heading into 2022, but an early-season hamstring injury handicapped the second baseman's entire sophomore campaign. India was sidelined early and often last season, and the Reds are hopeful that he returns healthy when the team descends upon Goodyear, Arizona early next year.

Whether the injury affected his ability to play defense is questionable, what's not in question is the fact that India was among the worst defensive second basemen in the game last year. India ranked near the bottom of the barrel in both defensive runs saved and outs above average.

But why would the Reds even consider moving on from India? For one, his trade value has to be through the roof at the moment. While India did have some struggles in 2022, most executives would probably look past those deficiencies if it meant landing a player with India's pedigree.

The Cincinnati Reds also have several young, talented infielders who'll need a place to play in the coming years. Spencer Steer has experience at second base and former first-round pick Matt McLain is relatively close to being major league ready and could certainly play almost anywhere on the infield dirt.

Subtracting Jonathan India from the Cincinnati Reds roster would not be viewed well by the baseball pundits or the fanbase. But, if it meant that Nick Krall could add several pieces that could make a difference in 2024 and beyond, don't put it past the Reds' GM to pull the trigger on a trade.

3. Reds RHP Alexis Diaz could surprisingly be traded during the offseason.

The rumors are already out there. The New York Mets were said to be in the market for Alexis Diaz at this summer's trade deadline. Mets' owner Steve Cohen was rebuffed, however, and the Reds decided against trading their best reliever to the Big Apple.

Make no mistake, the asking price for a reliever like Diaz would be astronomical. Diaz is under team control for five more seasons and won't even reach his arbitration window until after the 2024 season.

But, do the Reds really need a top-flight closer if the team has no intention of even competing for a division crown until the 2024 or even 2025 season?

Diaz's numbers were fantastic in 2022, but as baseball fans know all too well, relievers tend to have plenty of ups and downs. The Cincinnati faithful saw that with Amir Garrett, and even Mets fans have seen the same with Alexis' older brother Edwin.

After being traded from the Seattle Mariners prior to the 2019 season, Diaz was viewed as one of the best closers in the game. However, his first season with the New York Mets saw Diaz post 5.59 ERA and blow seven saves.

It seems very far-fetched to think that Cincinnati would trade Alexis Diaz, as the right-hander has the opportunity to be part of the next contending Reds team. But don't be shocked to hear Diaz's name come up in trade discussions this offseason. While it would be quite surprising to see the Reds deal Diaz, fans know that this front office is capable of almost anything.

dark. Next. Predicting the Reds 40-man roster after non-tender deadline

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