Along with the previously reported Raisel Iglesias and Tanner Roark, Reds outfielder Yasiel Puig and second baseman Scooter Gennett are “in play” as Wednesday’s trade deadline nears, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required).
The Reds have all but faded out of the playoff race, but they could still buy as well as sell in the next few days, Rosenthal writes. It would be logical to deal anyone who’s down to his last year of control, which includes Roark, Puig and Gennett. Puig’s the only member of the trio who’s a potential qualifying offer candidate, so the Reds could consider holding the ex-Dodger if they’re dissatisfied with the offers that come in for him. Alternatively, the club could attempt to extend Puig – something general manager Nick Krall has suggested they’re open to doing.
After a glacial start to the season, his first as a Red, Puig has come much closer to resembling his usual self over the past several weeks. Puig owned a sub-.650 OPS at the beginning of June, but the number has climbed about 150 points since then. The 28-year-old now owns a .260/.309/.489 line with 22 home runs and 13 steals on 18 tries. Puig has also once again graded out respectably in right field, where he has accounted for 3 Defensive Runs Saved and a 0.7 Ultimate Zone Rating.
Puig’s collecting a $9.7MM salary, while Gennett’s making a bit more at $9.775MM. That looked like a reasonable figure entering the season for Gennett, who transformed from waiver fodder into one of the game’s most valuable second basemen from 2017-18, yet this has been a nightmare of a campaign for the 29-year-old. It began inauspiciously at the end of March when Gennett suffered a severe groin strain – one that kept him out of action until June 28.
While it’s a small sample size, Gennett has come back to hit a stunningly subpar .185/.211/.222 with zero homers (he combined for 50 from 2017-18) over 57 trips to the plate in the past month. That production has been good for a single-digit wRC+ (9), owing in part to a horrid K:BB ratio of 17:1. There’s time for a rest-of-season turnaround for Gennett, but his trade value has surely dropped to a considerable degree this year.
Cubs could definitely use a guy like Gennett at 2nd base
Yes. Just what the cubs need. Another underperforming 2B
Yes they do, coming from a Cards fan
I wonder what Gennett would cost given that he has yet to rebound from his injury. more likely they keep and resign him id imagine.
If it’s a couple tier 2 prospects, that’s still a win.
Does Gennett have any Defensive flexibility, or is he 2B only?
Kinda depends who you ask, I guess. He played some 3B and LF/RF a few years ago, I’m sure Joe Maddon would utilize that versatility
2nd base only with Brewers and Reds.
@lizardking Not strictly 2B, no. Look at his defensive stats from 2017.
That was 2 years and several injuries ago
He can barely throw the ball; he’s not playing anywhere but 2B
Just 2nd. And dh.
Limited to 2nd base, largely due to arm strength.
Maybe first base
The Reds tried Scooter Gennett in RF a few times two years ago. It was bad. He could play SS or 3B in a pinch, but he really doesn’t have the arm to do it regularly.
Upside is he seems to be a gamer that’s willing to do whatever the team asks him to.
He can also PH and DH
Wonder if the braves would go after a package of Iglesias and Puig? Although I’m not sure AA is interested in Puig, because I’m not sure he fits in the clubhouse.
Puig would be interesting. Surely, he’ll be cheap since he’s a pure rental, has no QO value to the Reds and the receiving team has to pay $3m in salary. The Reds could pay that off and improve the prospect though.
Duvall hitting well last night (super low sample size) shouldn’t have the Braves scrambling for a RF though especially w Joyce around. Getting Puig probably means optioning Riley or Duvall or DFAing Joyce (not happening). IF Ender was traded, buying the Puig rental would be a good move, but that seems unlikely to happen.
Without a more complicated trade the question is – who will haven better August, and how much better?
– Puig
– Riley
– Duvall
The Reds can hold on to him and offer if a qualifying offer and if he leaves they do get a draft pick
I suggested this yesterday and was kindly pointed out The risk of Puig’s negative influence on Acuna, Albies & Camargo I am on the side of pass
Definitely interested in Iglesias though
Wonder what it would take
I think the Braves are gonna make 2 deals for the bullpen
One rental and one guy they will have control over at least for 1 more year
I think they are going to ride out this rotation with the hope that Folty comes back strong
With the restrictions on the international signings we just don’t have the ability to replenish the prospects it’s gonna take get a SP
Fried looked good yesterday til the 5th inning
The bullpen looked horrible
I think the bullpen is more urgent need to be fixed
Character assassination is really important when discussing sports. Bravo, Interweb.
It’s not character assassination. We all know sports franchises want low drama environments, and while Puig isn’t a horrible guy, LA certainly tired of his antics
Puig has been an outstanding citizen in Cincy, when people talk about him being a negative influence they need to remember he was playing in LaLa land…
Oh yeah, all the fights he starts is totally being outstanding.
We loved Puig in LA. Dude gave 100% at all time.
To get Iglesias would cost one your top 5 prospects and probably someone outside the top 15. With Puig would cost a top 5, someone outside the top 10 and outside top 25.
I think you are way overestimating the value of them. The braves 6-10 is better than most teams 3-5.
Roark and Puig for Trevor Bauer.
Never un a hundred, never in a thousand, never in a million years would Cleveland make that trade. They would be adding payroll this year. They would have nothing to show for the trade after this season. Puig is a potential distraction . Other current members of the Tribe’s starting rotation would moan about the loss of Bauer. I really don’t see the possibility of this trade happening .
This year is all about the postseason. Next year is all about salary dump. Either make a playoff run this year or forget dealing Bauer. Puig and Roark gives them both as their contracts expire. A million years? Nah, I’d say I’m closer than you think.
Bauer > Puig + Roarck if you ignore contracts
The fact the Indians are losing the value of his next season just makes it absurd.
I should not say “never in a million
years.” The trade deadline is less than 72 hours away as I write this. So, I am inclined to amend my statement to “not in the next few days.” It cannot happen after then!
I know that we can’t measure it, but I would think that teams that were interested in acquiring Bauer are less interested now if they watched his shameful performance in Kansas City this afternoon. Awful.
The trade was a lot closer to my idea. You’re welcome.
Puig is now an Indian, Bauer is now a Red. Plus others involved. My idea wasn’t absurd. Thanks for playing.
Why does the article write up Puig and Gennett but not Roark?
Maybe Connor Byrne gets paid by the hour and he reached his maximum number of hours for this pay period.I don’t know.
There’s an article on Roark’s trade value along with Iglesias from yesterday… I think it sort of makes reference to it at the beginning but not explicitly.
Cubs should sign Puig just so we can watch the fireworks between him and Strop.
Bauer’s best throws today were not pitches from the mound. In case you missed his ineffective performance this afternoon, he threw the ball into the netting after giving up some runs. Then, when Terry Francona came to remove Bauer from the game, he threw the ball over the centerfield fence in another fit of anger. I would imagine that other teams have made some observations concerning such conduct. I would doubt that such actions enhance his trade value.
My Brew Crew will gladly take Roark (a severely underrated stud) for Orlando Arcia. Do it! Now!
Great suggestion, Mr. Master! All over it as usual! When oh when will Trade Rumors finally sign you to a lucrative contract?
Per The Athletic (paid subscription)
Hello
Phillies could use an outfielder and a starter. The question is do they have the chips the Reds would want?