5 Reds players and prospects who could be traded during the MLB Winter Meetings

5. Reds prospect Edwin Arroyo could be traded during the MLB Winter Meetings

Edwin Arroyo, much like Leonardo Balcazar, is a name that Reds fans will kick around as a potential trade candidate due to the fact that he plays shortstop. There's nothing wrong with that on its own merit, but if Elly De La Cruz is the player that everyone in the Reds front office expects him to be, that position is on lockdown for the foreseeable future.

Arroyo is arguably the best defensive shortstop in the Reds farm system. His bat's not too bad either. While Arroyo had some early-season struggles at High-A Dayton, he did enough over the last few months to earn a promotion to Double-A Chattanooga.

Arroyo's timeline probably puts the former second-round pick ready for the big leagues in late-2024 or 2025. De La Cruz, Matt McLain, and Noelvi Marte, all of whom are capable of playing shortstop, will still be pre-arbitration eilgible at that time.

Edwin Arroyo, as is the case with the aforementioned Cam Collier, is not the type of player you just give away. The slick-fielding shortstop would no doubt be the headliner in a deal for a potential ace. If such an offer is presented to Nick Krall at the upcoming MLB Winter Meetings, don't think he won't listen.

Dealing Arroyo could be part of a trade package for a player like Dylan Cease, or another young, controllable starting pitcher. Reds fans, however, need not see the farm system's abundance of shortstop prospects as a detriment, but rather a means to help the club acquire some top talent on the trade market.