Why the Reds trading Tyler Naquin to the Mets is already a win

Sometimes it take years to determine whether your favorite team won or lost a trade. When it comes to the New York Mets deal for Tyler Naquin, it's safe to say that the Cincinnati Reds already won that deal.

Naquin was dealt to the Mets shortly before the trade deadline. In exchange, the Reds received two lower-level prospects in outfielder Hector Rodriguez and pitcher Jose Acuña.

Not only did those two prospects turn in solid performances over the final few weeks of the 2022 season, but Naquin failed miserably once joining the Mets. The outfielder was even left off New York's playoff roster.

Why the Reds trading Tyler Naquin to the Mets is already a win.

Tyler Naquin was signed by the Cincinnati Reds to a minor league deal prior to the 2021 season. After Nick Senzel landed on the IL, Naquin became the Reds everyday centerfielder and had a career-year with 19 home runs and an OPS of .809.

Naquin agreed to a one-year/$4M deal during the last offseason, but with the Reds struggling to put a winning product on the field and the outfielder slated to become a free agent, it became obvious that the two sides were destined to go their separate ways.

Naquin played 53 games with the Reds before the trade to the Mets and the left-handed hitting slugger slashed a respectable .246/.305/.444 and was dominant against right-handed pitching. But, after joining the Mets, Naquin hit just .203/.246/.390. New York was so dismayed with Naquin's lack of performance that he wasn't even part of the team's postseason roster.

On the flip side, Cincinnati gained two young prospects. Rodriguez, the diminutive 18-year-old infielder, hit .289/.319/.467 in 13 games with the Daytona Tortugas to close out his 2022 season. Acuña, a 19-year-old right-hander from Venezuela, posted a 3.16 ERA in seven games at Low-A Daytona this season.

Even if neither of these two young prospect never develop into more than utility infielder or a relief arm, the Cincinnati Reds made the call trading Tyler Naquin. If there's mutual interest, the two sides could decide to work out a contract during the offseason, but if Naquin wants to win, he'll steer clear of Cincinnati.