January 30: Williams doubled down on his comments regarding Senzel in an appearance on MLB Network Radio’s Power Alley show (Twitter link, with audio), voicing a strong preference to keep him in the organization after what the club felt was a promising rookie campaign.
“We had to go into this offseason, knowing that we wanted to add impact, we had to be open to trades,” said Williams. “We certainly talked about a lot of impact players out there. And when you’re going to acquire an impact player, a name like Nick Senzel is going to come up. But our preference all along was to spend money and add to the club without touching our prospects, and we’ve been able to do that.”
January 29: Cincinnati’s signing of Nick Castellanos to a four-year contract this week further deepened the Reds’ outfield mix and opened up some questions about a potential trade of former No. 2 overall pick Nick Senzel. President of baseball operations Dick Williams, however, threw some cold water on recent rumors that popped up regarding Senzel, telling Bobby Nightengale Cincinnati Enquirer that he expects Senzel to be on the Reds’ roster come Opening Day.
“He’s an impact, young offensive player,” Williams said of Senzel. “They don’t come along very often. The flexibility he brings to the club, attitude he brings. At this point, we see him as very much a part of a winning, championship team here.”
That’s not a firm declaration that Senzel is wholly unavailable — there’s a point at which any team would budge on virtually any player — but these types of on-record comments from top-level executives aren’t often walked back, either. That Williams felt strongly enough to make such a statement is certainly notable and significantly dampens other organizations’ hopes of landing a player that just a year ago was considered to be among baseball’s 10 best prospects before an injury-shortened 2019 campaign.
Shortened by injuries or not, there were some positives for the 24-year-old Senzel in his debut campaign. He didn’t set the game ablaze like some other vaunted prospects have in recent years, but few minor leaguers graduate to the Majors and hit the ground running at a full spring. Senzel hit .256/.315/.427 with a dozen homers and 14 steals (in 19 tries) through 414 trips to the plate. For a player who had finger and elbow surgery in 2018 and battled ankle troubles last spring, it was a respectable first showing, though the organization (and Senzel himself) surely hope there’s more in the tank.
Perhaps most encouragingly, Senzel seemed to take to center field quite naturally. The converted third baseman was learning the position largely on the fly — particularly after missing the 2018 Arizona Fall League due to the aforementioned elbow procedure — but posted passable marks in Defensive Runs Saved (-1), Ultimate Zone Rating (-1.2) and Outs Above Average (0). For a position that was mostly foreign to him, Senzel seemingly proved that he has the athleticism to handle the spot — perhaps even at an above-average (or better) level once he gains more experience.
Notably, despite surgery that could place third baseman Eugenio Suarez on the injured list to open the year, Williams again emphasized that Senzel wouldn’t be lining up at third base. Nor, it seems, will Senzel be considered an option at shortstop. The Reds haven’t made a marquee addition there, but Williams voiced confidence in Freddy Galvis and a reluctance to have Senzel try his hand at the spot after undergoing shoulder surgery of his own late last summer. “That’s the most difficult throw on the diamond to make,” Williams said in a nod to Senzel’s most recent surgery.
For those keeping score, that’s three surgeries for Senzel in just over a year’s time, which will prompt some to question the 24-year-old’s durability. That, however, doesn’t appear to be a substantial concern for the Reds at this time, and the aforementioned depth the team possesses gives them plenty of alternatives in the event that Senzel’s injury troubles continue. Offseason signing Shogo Akiyama has long been a quality center fielder in Japan, and the Reds have Jesse Winker, Aristides Aquino, Phil Ervin, Travis Jankowski and Rule 5 pick Mark Payton as other outfield options on the 40-man roster.
1. These things tend to work out somehow. Can’t remember how many times clubs thought they had too much of something only to have injury and/or under performance prove otherwise.
2. Cincy/Cleveland’s shared ballpark in Goodyear is probably my favorite Spring Training park, especially for a night game.
I think the only one they would have traded nick for is Lindor, and he is not going to be traded for now.
I think reds are in the drivers seat with that trade. After dodgers and padres both passed on lindor and Indians went public over senzel it seemed like a done deal. Hard to think Indians will get a better package than senzel and Aquino
That being said- reds seem to be content w Galvis and keeping nick
Nobody passed in Lindor, Cleveland isn’t trading him. And Cincinnati certainly isn’t driving anything when it comes to Lindor. At no point did they say they wanted Senzel, only he would be a part of trade they consider from the reds. You people and your made up rumors.
Lol, you guys are arguing about nonsense
I would disagree. Lindor is a generational talent. Reds need a SS. If they were in the drivers seat you pull the trigger. Lindor is the type of player that allows you to have holes elsewhere and still contend. Personally I trade Aquino for bullpen help if it’s available tomorrow. Sell high. Let Ervin play against lefties.
The Indians didn’t want to trade Lindor ultimately. There’s a report there was a 3-team deal with Dodgers/Indians/Reds that fell through.
You are incorrect, Les. Cleveland has the player that the Reds, Dodgers, Padres, and others coveted. Cleveland was and is the team that will decide if Lindor is traded or not. That is the definition of control.
By the way, Aquino was a one month, juiced ball, flash in the pan player who cratered during his second month. He does not have the value that you think that he has.
That’s just a back-handed way of saying the Indians expect too much for Lindor, and that’s why a deal hasn’t been done.
Lindor? It would have to be Nick and a boatload. He needs to stay out of the ER before a right minded GM would take him. Of course you can’t fix stupid.
I would not trade Nick for Lindor straight up. Your talking
Close to 45 million for 2 years of Lindor compared to 6 years of Nick at ??.
agreed. dont see why everyone sees this happening
Does Senzel have a starting position right now? Moose at 2nd and the Japanese player in CF, no?
Senzel starts in CF. The Reds GM spoke to how “the Japanese player” or Shogo Akiyama as he prefers to be called, will get plenty of PT situationally.
Y’all are Cleveland fans that are to emotional to come to terms with the current state of the trade market.
No team wants to pay any player the amount of money lindor is making today. If they did- betts and arenado would have both been traded by now. Teams want control in cost and years and that drives the trade market- talent is a distant 2nd or those players would be traded by now. Look at marte- pirates took peanuts to save 25 mil for a quality player.
Dodgers and SD both have several players that could headline a lindor trade or even a clevinger/lindor trade. Cleveland said if u have a serious offer to make- do it. Patino/abrams and two other top 10 prospects are enough to get both clevinger and lindor. No way cleveland can get more value than that as they are trading with deepest system in baseball. It also makes total sense for padres to part w talent bc they have so much. Dodgers could make an equal offer w Lux Ruiz and Urias offer. No way Cleveland doesn’t take that for both those guys. Yet no offer was made or lindor would be on another team.
Dodgers and SD passed on lindor. And then the reds did once senzel was the asking price. Reds offer senzel santillian and Aquino Or India and Cleveland will jump on it. Reds won’t though bc they sign castellanos and have Galvis which is strategy the management took and it was the right one.
Sorry indian fans. You have little to look forward to this season and the return for lindor will be the low point.
Les, Your comment shows your lack of knowledge about the Indians and how trades work. Yes, teams like the Padres could put forth solid packages that a REBUILDING team would jump at. The Indians are not planning to rebuild so they were looking for MLB ready talent. The Dodgers would not include Lux which shut down that deal. For a contending team, Lindor is better than a bunch of prospects that are not MLB ready. That is why Lindor is still an Indian.
And, Les, I have a lot to look forward to for 2020 as the Indians come off 93 wins season filled with many injuries. I get to watch Lindor, Ramirez, Clevinger, Bieber, Carrasco, Santana, and others. Like all teams, staying healthy is the key.
Well said
Trading Senzel turns this team into a two year WS or bust and they are back to where they were a few years ago. FO mentioned earlier in the off-season they were more interested in spending than trading from their prospects. They have an okay core and adding in young guys in the next few years makes this team interesting moving forward rather than for a couple years. Senzel is the type of guy they will potentially build around and any trade involving him would likely only net us a player for a year or 2.
exactly. I am ok with that for a lindor but that wont happen. it would top payroll. before the off-season I thought they were a 2 year or bust team but what they did extended that. of course if they want to keep that up they will have to hit on one rookie arm next year
In other words nobody wanted him.
Or everyone wants him..including the reds.
Lol, just when I think I’ve heard the dumbest thing out of vin he surprises me again.
You have 2 admit he’s been injured a lot and no one’s quite sure how well he will rebound, I would guess he tough and can work through it, that’s a good reason to stockpile OFs, no one very accomplished except Castellanos, Akiyama was in Japan and the rest are newbies
dont give him excuses. we all know his statement is wrong.
There’s no limit to some people’s stupidity. Gotta admire Scully’s consistency.
Assuming health, which has been elusive, I’d expect Winker, Senzel, and Castellanos to rake this year.
BS…
Why would you not want a talented versatile player with 6 years of control left. There’s no reason to trade him unless you get a massive haul back that could help you at a much needed position.
There is a bunch of haters here, Senziel is a special talent and this silly talk will go away when we soon see sports center showing highlight reels of him taking, day in, and day out. Hopefully in a Reds uniform
Usually, the word ‘versatile’ means the player doesn’t have a starting position.
And if a 6 WAR SS is not a haul, I don’t know what is.
So nobody wanted Arenado, Betts or Lindor because they werent succesfully traded? Come on, all you have to do is rub a couple brain cells together to realize how wrong you are.
Just stop. You come on here every chance you get talking trash on Senzel. What’d he do to you? Steal your girl?
whatever you say, dude
Winker’s more likely to be traded (though I’d hate to see it) but this is telling clubs that unless you have a great offensive SS, don’t bother calling for Senzel.
Sometimes I wonder what Williams is smoking though. Voicing confidence in Galvis
Galvis is a pretty slick fielding SS, although I worry about his best if the ball comes in heavy this year..
What else is he going to do? Say Galvis stinks?
Not picking up a 5.5 mil option on a guy who’d be lucky to get a 1 or 2 mil deal would’ve been nice to begin with
Good…I’m fine with that…Go Reds!
Senzel for Boyd and Franklin Perez
The Reds already have 5 rotation spots filled out. Senzel would have more trade value than those two anyway.
I think Boyd is a Tiger for good, and I don’t mean that in a bad way at all. The fans love him and the FO loves him. I could see Jimenez packing though
Was this ever really a possibility, other than in a blockbuster for Lindor or something similar? Doesn’t seem to make a ton of sense.
Not sure Reds can afford Lindor now, he’ll be making 25m next year
Smart move keeping Senzel.
Indeed
Agreed. Every Reds fan wants to see them add a SS. The reality is you don’t sell the entire farm when you are coming off a 4th place finish. Senzel is legitimately 5 tool that is cheap on a small market team. Can play anywhere. Doubles machine. He is a major fallback for the future if this all doesn’t work out.
Prez Sez SCHOOL IS FOR LOSERS
Barring an offer that is too good to pass up, Senzel is probably going to be a red until he hits FA in five or six years.
I’m sure Preller could get him for Tatis or Gore, but even he isn’t that dumb.
Senzel is a nice player and was a good prospect….but he was never a prospect to the level of Tatis or Gore.
#2 overall pick. I’d say that’s a pretty high level prospect
Senzel was the best hitter in his draft class.
Pads fans and their ceaseless crowing about their prospects make me glad they have to eat contracts like Myers and Hosmer.
Bro, Senzel was the #2 prospect in baseball.
I’m all for this but…. I’m surprised they said that he wouldn’t fill in at 3B if Suarez misses time. Who else?
Moose to 3b, Senzel at 2B?
And where is Eugene going to play? His shoulder is not severe.
Suarez returns to 3B when healthy. I thought the question was “Who plays 3B if Suarez can’t?”
Crazy the Reds went from where they were two years ago to having too many good players (which is a good situation to be in, obviously)
In all honesty shouldn’t Senzel start at SS and Galvais become the Utility infielder?
No, just stop. Couple years ago he trained for SS and appeared there for exactly ONE preseason game. He’s NOT a SS.
the guy learned CF on the fly last year. how hard should SS be if they stick him there full-time?
Shortstop is the hardest position to learn besides catcher it would probably take him two years to be a proficient defender at the position
I think the Reds would be crazy to trade Senzel. I didnt know he learned CF on the fly. That’s pretty incredible as CF is one of the three most important defensive positions on the field. Seeing as he did a servable job in CF you have to wonder if he could actually become a plus fielder at center.
A successful move to CF gives Senze greater value as well. Not only is CF a more premium defensive position than 3B but its currently the lightest hitting position in the game. There were four center fielders with an 800 OPS or higher and 500 or more AB’s. Just four…
The Reds are right to give Senzel a chance to see what he can do rather than trade him away.
Good insight.
They’re “giving him a chance to see what he can do” by bringing in numerous players to staff the positions he can supposedly play?
Since he’s so talented and athletic, next I’ll be reading here that he can be used in the bullpen. He can learn that on the fly. After all, there’s always room for another arm in the bullpen.
Yep, that’s why they spent all that money signing a guy that’s never played in the league to play centerfield. A 32 year old rookie gets first shot at that, but sure spin it anyway you want
Yep, that’s why they spent all that money signing a guy that’s never played in the league to play centerfield. A 32 year old rookie gets first shot at that, but sure spin it anyway you want
No way Akiyama starts in CF ahead of Senzel.
So they paid him 21 mil to be a fourth or fifth outfielder? Everything I have read says he is the center fielder…. but hey I’m sure you know more than the experts and front office in Cincinnati
You’re not reading much then
Literally from day 1 the Reds said he’d be playing all OF positions and have since repeatedly said Senzel is their CF
This horse was beaten to death 2 months ago.
I read the article. Like everything else “reported” here, any quotes are dismissed along the lines of “That said,”. So after a while one realizes that there is no news here. Just statements or tweets from people that are first noted, then explained why they might or might not happen. A never ending circle.
Wake me when something happens.
Wake me up……when Vandals returns.
OH there he is! Hello Samuel/Vandals same blowhard soapbox, different day!
It’s not wise to manipulate the service time of a top 10 prospect and play him in less-than-ideal positions. That’s BEFORE the Reds hand out their two largest FA contracts in their history to guys who take his spot. I can’t imagine this situation will end well if they stick with Senzel. He should go somewhere that his talents are truly valued and appreciated, not manipulated.
You guys do not see the obvious-senzel will start the season at triple A. When he gets hot he will be up and playing in the position in which he is needed due to an injury to someone or because someone else stinks. Unless someone gets hurt or really stinks at spring training.
Will be play 3b until Suarez is healthy?
I think they should undoubtedly trade him for pitching and think they’re dumb if they don’t. They’ve already blocked his path as full time CF.
I think he’s a great fit for Detroit, they need a young position player to build around and a glaring need for an everyday CF. Boyd would make a lot of sense for CIN. They should work something out.
how would Boyd make sense for the Reds?
to battle with Miley for the number 5 spot?
What are they gonna do with Aquino?? Gotta give him a lot of ABs to at least see if he can crank like last August right?
at the moment Aquino is the 5th outfielder.. so probably going back to AAA
6th OF actually. Yes, AAA to hopefully improve his contact rate. Winning teams can’t afford Wily Mo Pena the second.
They’d be stupid to trade Senzel right now, unless they were absolutely bowled over by an offer.
So if CIN doesn’t intend to play him in the infield in Suarez’ absence, and there’s clearly no room in the OF, Williams either intends to park him in AAA to start the season or the Reds will create a new position for him.
“Williams either intends to park him in AAA to start the season or the Reds will create a new position for him.”
LOL
Yes solaris602, the Reds will create a position for him by playing him as the short CF to utilize his skills as both an infielder and outfielder. They’ll be notifying the league office that he’ll be batting in the 9th position, just ahead of the pitcher.
Keep Senzel. And get another solid back end reliever plus a GG type 2nd baseman for insurance and IF depth later. Trade Winkler/Ervin and prospect Rece Hinds to the Rays for a solid back end reliever in either Diego Castillo or Jose Alvarado and Joey Wendle . Makes he Reds bullpen stronger and extremely flexible and solves the problem of who plays 2nd if Suarez’s injury is more problematic and should Moustakas need to play more third than expected. Hinds is blocked as a 3rd baseman for the foreseeable future.
Here is a potential trade that I would like to see as a Red Sox fan:
Xander Bogaerts to Cincy
Senzel, Jesse Winker and Phil Ervin to Boston.
Reds lineup looks something like:
Shōgo- CF
Votto-1B
Bogaerts- SS
Suárez- 3B
Castellanos-LF
Moustakas- 2B
Aquino- RF
Barnhart/Stephenson – C
that’s an interesting one
If I’m the reds I’d say deal
one of the more interesting if not plausible scenarios I’ve seen rolled out there in a while. If the Sox deal away Betts and possibly Price as well that could signal a partial rebuild, which would make this more likely. I think Boston would want a bit better of a return, or some salary/monetary compensation though
nevermind, Bogaerts is signed through ’26 I thought his contract was up in like two years, he’s not going anywhere
They’re going to hold on to him too long and his value will drop. Teams do it all the time.
I personally dont see what everyone is worried about Senzel will be used like a super utility player and will get full time at bats. He can move around to position that need days off or if there is someone slumping or hurt
Hoping that’s the proverbial vote of confidence given just before they do the exact opposite. This club still needs help and if Senzel will bring them what they need, then do it. Not at all sold on Senzel…..extremely injury prone, both in minors and last year. Not convinced he will ever be an everyday player. I’m not down on Galvis at all, but an upgrade would be welcome. As would a proven corner outfielder. No one has mentioned that Votto has given them nothing the past two seasons, so a proven player they could plug in at first would be welcome. And Igelasias’ 34 saves are misleading because he blew a lot of leads and ties last year and even with failure after failure Bell kept running him out there. If they can move Senzel and get better, go for it.
it’s probably just that every other reporter is asking Williams about something that isnt happening and he wants to put the rumors to bed.
If I were the Reds, I’d make the Lindor/Senzel swap. It’s a lot to give up, but Lindor is one of the best players in BB. At the end of last year, the Reds were 14 out of the WS and 16 out of 1st. They’ve made some improvements, but I’m not sure that adding Moose and Castellanos make up that difference.
Adding Lindor moes them from a fringy WC team to maybe the favorite to come in 1st. That’s a huge difference.
Try to understand that last year the Reds had lost a bunch of close games and that means many one run losses. Generally that means you had good relief and starting pitching otherwise opponents score plenty of runs and there would not be no talk about the Reds losing one run games. So that being said! Insert Cast and Moose along with a full season of each Aquino and a 23 Homer hitting SS in Galvis and now the Reds mop up in the central division. And now if you add Lindor to the equation, then the Cardinals, Cubs and Brewers don’t have a chance but obviously there will be people hating and trying to sell us something else
Maybe Williams might know more than the fantasy experts on here. Imagine that.
I’m a White Sox fan, so I don’t really care about the Reds either way, but they’re in a similar position: lots of young talent, some nice veteran additions, and brighter days ahead. If anything, Cincy’s 2020 outlook may be brighter because their division has no clear favorite now. They need a SS, but why give up on Senzel? I don’t think they’re legit contenders this year, even if they got Lindor, so it’d be better to keep the young guys together and have a longer window.
You have got to be kidding me……..
They are going to grab the central with by at least 6 games.
I don’t think your a legit fan that can comment on baseball. Hopefully you can hang around the game a little bit so you can have an idea.
More likely to trade Winkler?
sure he did not light the world on fire but a nice rookie season. kid knows how to wait for his pitch and gets on base. Really he was at least avg in his first year. he had 3 random injuries in a year. not likely to happen again. much better rookie season than most and that’s why teams want him.
You have to remember, at the middle of August he was hitting .285…the Turner Ward started messing with his swing…Ward is now gone after one year. I really like Senzel and say only deal him if it’s necessary…
I think the Reds have the prospects to make a trade for Story or Seager. No need to trade from the ML roster
Why would the Dodgers weaken their 2020 team by trading Seager for just prospects? I wish people would look at the needs of BOTH teams before commenting. A rebuilding team will want prospects. A contender will not.