In a challenge trade of sorts, the Rockies and Reds have agreed to swap a pair of former top pitching prospects. The two clubs agreed to a trade Wednesday sending right-hander Jeff Hoffman and minor league righty Case Williams from Colorado to Cincinnati in exchange for right-hander Robert Stephenson and minor league outfielder Jameson Hannah. The Reds have formally announced the swap.
Hoffman, 28 in January, was the ninth overall pick by the Blue Jays in the 2014 draft and went to the Rockies as the centerpiece of the blockbuster deadline swap that shipped Troy Tulowitzki to Toronto. The hope at the time of the deal was that the former East Carolina University ace could develop into a key front-of-the-rotation piece at the ever-challenging Coors Field, but that simply hasn’t panned out.
Hoffman has logged Major League innings in each of the past five seasons but never performed up to those lofty prospect expectations. In a total of 230 2/3 frames at the MLB level, he’s compiled a 6.40 ERA and a similarly discouraging 5.58 FIP. Along the way, Hoffman has averaged 7.7 K/9, 4.2 BB/9 and 1.79 HR/9 to go along with a 40.7 percent ground-ball rate.
Unappealing as those baseline numbers are, however, there’s also reason to believe that Hoffman may yet have another gear into which he can tap. As noted here at MLBTR back in May, Hoffman possesses high-end velocity and spin rate on his four-seamer and above-average spin on a curveball that generally befuddled hitters in 2019. The Reds and their affinity for high-spin pitchers may have a different idea about how Hoffman can maximize what looks to at least be a viable two-pitch mix — be it concentrating his four-seamer more in the top of the zone, altering his release point or any number of other possible tweaks.
Hoffman is out of minor league options, so he’ll need to open the 2021 season on the Reds’ roster. If they’re able to successfully tap into his still-dormant potential, he’d be controllable for another four seasons.
The tale of Stephenson in Cincinnati is rather similar. He’s a hard-throwing 27-year-old who is out of minor league options and at various points ranked among the game’s elite pitching prospects but has yet to develop into a consistent producer.
Stephenson has had recent success, however, giving the Reds 64 2/3 frames of 3.76 ERA and 3.63 FIP ball with 11.3 K/9 against 3.3 BB/9 as recently as 2019. Unfortunately for both the Reds and Stephenson, he followed that up with a ghastly 2020 effort in which he served up 11 runs in just 10 innings — thanks largely to an astonishing eight home runs allowed.
It’s worth noting that Stephenson, like Hoffman, possesses excellent velocity and spin rate on his fastball — both of which contributed to him recording an 18.7 percent swinging-strike rate across the past two seasons. Stephenson’s whiff rate, in fact, ranked among the 99th percentile of all big league relievers in 2019, so there’s plenty of reason to think that he could also emerge (or reemerge) as a viable setup piece for the Rockies. He’s controlled for three more seasons — one less year than they controlled Hoffman.
Hannah, 23, was a second-round pick by the A’s back in 2018 but was traded to the Reds in the 2019 swap that brought righty Tanner Roark to Oakland. He has just one full professional season under his belt after this year’s minor league campaign was canceled, having slashed .274/.339/.369 at Class-A Advanced in ’19. Hannah currently ranks 15th among Cincinnati farmhands at MLB.com and 23rd at FanGraphs, drawing praise for a combination of plus speed, above-average fielding and an average or better hit tool. Hannah lacks power, and scouting reports peg his arm as below average as well.
Williams was the Rockies’ fourth-round pick just this past summer. He’s yet to pitch in a pro game due to the cancellation of the 2020 minor league system and was at least somewhat of a surprise pick, as he didn’t rank in the draft’s top 200 prospects at MLB.com or the top 500 at Baseball America.
However, as GM Jeff Bridich explained to MLB.com’s Thomas Harding at the time, Williams was a local product whom the club had scouted extensively. It’s possible that with a full high school season, of course, Williams would’ve been vaulted onto those pre-draft rankings. And it’s clear that the Rox aren’t the only club intrigued by Williams and his 96 mph heater, as evidenced by the very fact that the Reds have had him included in today’s swap. Indeed, Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer tweets that Cincinnati GM Nick Krall now says his team planned to draft Williams before the Rockies snagged him in the fourth round.
Fansided’s Robert Murray first reported that a trade was in place and that Hannah was in the deal. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman and The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal added details on the framework (Twitter links) before Murray reported all of the names involved.
Story?
Edit: nevermind, didn’t see 2-2 swap
Is Story a “lesser” Pitcher?
No it’s more of a report!
I’m a dad and I approve this message.
He’s a SS…I wish..
We were all hoping this was an Arenado trade.
Why? That doesn’t make since as we have Suarez
You ever consider Suarez would be a part of a package going back? Everyone is just plugging in Arenado in their lineup without considering what they have to give back. You are not getting a guy like Arenado for a couple of Class A guys that someone at Baseball America thinks might be good in 2024 or so.
in this financial climate, maybe not. The rockies should definitely get the best deal possible, but the finances could make sense if they’re high on some guys. what is denvers payroll looking like?
Based on the finances, you just might.. Especially if he has another down year.
I love having a guy that can win his 8th consecutive Gold Glove and still have people claim he had a bad year. Never mind the fact that his “year” was only 48 games long and that tells absolutely NOTHING. In a normal “season, his 2020 “year” would have only counted for about a third of a total season. Anyone can have a bad third of a season, but most of the time the other two thirds of the year cover it up. I don’t put any stock into anything that came out of the 2020 season. NOTHING AT ALL.
Not to the Reds,
The Reds a look to cut payroll this year.
They will not take on Nolan;s salary.
If Nolan get trade, a bag of balls, is all the Rox get back.
Tejay Antone
Votto?
No its not Votto. Try reading the post.
Well I should take my own advice after reading it again. Lol
Full NTC that he has said MULTIPLE times he isn’t waiving.
I am hoping it is arrenado – just so he doesn’t go to the dodgers
Not that I wouldn’t love Arenado in a Reds uniform but they already have a really good 3B in Suarez
Not that I think it would happen, but if there was an Arenado to the Reds deal, Suarz would no doubt be a part of the return. For reasons of talent, position, and future salary obligations.
That would be a steal for the Rockies. Suarez would mash in Denver and costs a fraction of what Arenado costs and you wouldn’t have to deal with home/road splits
ANY player that goes to Coors is going to have a big home/road split. That is what happens when you play your home games at the best hitting park. It’s just like pitchers having big home/road splits when they play for the Giants or Pirates. It is not indicative of talent, just a stat that some people read way too much into.
Arenado’s undoubtedly a better player than Suarez but when you consider the difference in their sticker price— I’m not so sure a mid market team would prefer Arenado
Reds aren’t trading that team friendly contract of Rico Suarez…
That was funny. Nolan Arrenado’s contract and Reds should never be included in the same sentence. Why it was just yesterday it was rumored that Sonny Gray might be moved.
No kidding. No way it would have been Arrenado
So 2 someones are getting traded for 2 someone elses. Interesting…
A good old-fashioned trade!
Stephenson-Hoffman swap ?
2 former top 100 prospects!
It’s sad how many pitchers careers have been ruined by Coors.
We’ll never know how good Jon Gray could’ve been. Hoffman etc.
The Tulo trade was a lose-lose for both orgs
I’d say the Rockies won that hands-down, if only to get out of the Tulo contract.
No way. Toronto got to the playoffs twice with Tulo. They’d make that trade again any day.
And getting rid of the clubhouse distraction Jose Reyes would’ve represented was pretty nearly worth it without a return. Not to mention his contract.
The same Tulo that helped propel a 50-51 Blue Jays squad to a division title just by dealing Jose Reyes? Well, the Blue Jays won the trade.
Toronto won that trade. Tulo did help and was an upgrade over reyes. But after 2016 tulo was done
Hannah is the only piece of value in the trade
Hannah has zero power and zero arm. Not sure what value he has besides some wheels
I’m more intrigued by the lottery ticket, Case Williams. Never heard of him, but it sounds like he might have the tools if he is developed properly. Nice steal by Cincy, though. Headline two broken former top prospects who need a change of scenery, but sneak in a lottery ticket. Well played!
Interesting take. I view Hannah as by far the least valuable/interesting player in this trade.
Hannah is 4th on my list of the players involved. Williams may have the best chance of the bunch. Then again they all may amount to nothing at all… I like Stevenson over Hoffman but am a fan of Hoffmann since he was drafted and saw him in the spring…
Darkside: Williams will be the star of this 2 for 2 deal. He would’ve shot up the draft boards if there was a high school season this year.
What if one of two distressed properties go Jake Arrieta beast mode? A guy who was not great in Baltimore and then turned into, for a while, superman.
Does he have a case for himself with the reds?
gotta imagine he’s happy he wolnt have to worry about pitching at Coors now.
Yes, but I have heard GABP referred to as COORS EAST.
Neither one, is pitcher friendly.
Kyle Boddy et al drooling at the chance to get a kid with a mid 90s FB with high spin rate in the system
That’s exactly what they traded away in Stephenson, though. Obviously other factors come into play, but the parallels between the two are pretty notable.
Sounds like the Reds came asking about Story, couldn’t work anything out, and they only ended up swapping a pair of out of options pitchers and a couple of low level prospects.
Why does it “sound” like that? And why would the Reds send a ton of value away for one year of Trevor Story (or Lindor for that matter) instead of just signing one of the SS on the market right now.
Why bother talking if it was just this? And yes, it’s likely they wouldn’t have wanted to offer a lot of value in return.
Hoffman’s an ex top shelf pitching prospect and Stephenson is, too. Maybe the two organizations liked each others’ guy better. And the Rockies need CF depth in their system. These kinds of trades happen all the time.
Besides, the Rox are going to make Story their centerpiece and trade Arenado. If they trade anyone. They certainly won’t trade both.
Because teams ALWAYS send away prospects for one year of proven major league players. Especially since there are no shortstops on the market right now at the caliber of Story or Lindor.
But next year, there are several
Yes there are, Story and Lindor are a part of the group. But it doesn’t matter what is available next off season because you still have a season to play before that comes. Unless you just want to not worry trying this year and just go fishing instead. That seems to be a theme among a lot of pro teams nowadays.
Reds have Jose Garcia and could keep Freddy Galvis if Garcia needs more time in the minors. They have been linked to Didi Gregorious but im not sure how legitimate the interest is. Especially with Bauer and DeSclafani free agents and Sonny Gray apparently available in the right trade (buyer beware)
(Buyer beware?) Apparently you’ve fallen asleep amidst the dismal season the Sox put up. Gray has a great contract, and has been phenomenal other than a back issue he had that he bounced back from quite nicely in September.. on most teams he’s a #1 or 2 starter. As a Reds fan I hope they don’t deal him. His experience of ups and downs and how to deal with them I feel can and has had a big time effect in young starters like Castillo and Mahle…
He was terrible as a Yankee, which is what i was referring to. He pitched ok in Oakland and good in Cincinnati but a big market team may want to remember his time in New York
Wow, I wonder why this trade was even made
Hoffman is serviceable away from Coors. Stephenson’s career has just hit rock-bottom.
Bob Steve has a killer slider. Just can’t keep the ball in the yard
Truth…long ball, bery bad…bery bad.
Case Williams got Trea Turnered!
Not a PTBNL like Turner, but true he’ll never play for the organization that drafted him.
Way to go Reds … just landed Hoffman with a lifetime 6.00 ERA. Just what we needed for GASP … here we go again .., lose Bauer , rumors of Grey being dealt which is insane. This year we couldn’t hit but pitched our tails off , next year we will hit but no pitching ..sorry , I don’t understand this move. Stephenson was serviceable
BobSteve gave up 8 HRs in 10 IP this year. Serviceable?
Maybe to pitch in the Home Run Derby.
Small sample size anyone?
Well that’s why you’re posting, and not a GM( I mean that with no disrespect). It’s the stuff that intrigues the Reds. It’s the reason they brought in Kyle B to completely revamp the P development. There’s no secret that the Rockies, as an org, are just so far behind the MLB development curve. Hoffman was probably better suited for the pen regardless.
This is where the fade makes complete sense; the reds feel they got the most out of Stephenson, and Hoffman is probably a guy they are salivating at getting there hands on. Plus Coors lol
I like this deal for reds a lot. Hoffman getting out of coors could be what he needs. I do think he ends up in the bullpen but could be lights out there
Get out of Coors to GASP? That makes no sense.
The Reds seemingly were most interested in Case Williams, the 2020 4th rounder.
Reds have no clue. No farm system and a terrible votto contract
Along w worst manager in baseball and the most pride filled owners of all timez. Spent 3 years rebuilding for 1 fanless shortened season and now are considering another tear down and rebuild. Arguably worst franchise in baseball !
bot, why do you care about the Reds.? You already announced you’re looking for a new team to root for. Time’s a wastin’.
Reds must be trying to corner the market on pitcher-athletes. Rockies used Hoffman as a pinch runner a number of times. But he can’t hit like Lorenzen.
A real trade! That means other transactions are not too far away.
The Reds have a great recent track record with post-hype pitchers with diminished value, I wouldn’t be surprised if they can make Hoffman a useful piece.
I initially read it that Tyler Stephenson was getting traded
The curse of playing for the Rockies. No matter how good you are, Coors Field is better.
Disappointing to see the Reds give up on Stephenson as he was pretty lights out when the Reds first started using him as a reliever, and he looked like a potential future closer. That being said, I’ve always thought that if Hoffman could get away from Coors he could have some solid potential too.
Stephenson was pretty much out of potential. Best of luck to Bob Steve in the Mile High City. Reds really wanted the 4th round draft pick (what was his name?) Case Williams, it looks like to me. Of course I am not managing anymore.
Nobody cares but the players and their families. Yes, I clicked on the article, yes I commented.
I care. So if I am now family, which one of these guy’s houses do I get to go to for Thanksgiving? I want the drumstick.
You better not go anywhere, tough guy. Remember the guidelines for a Happy Thanksgiving – isolate.
Yeah, I wasn’t actually planning a trip or anything. I went nowhere and had my new traditional Thanksgiving spaghetti dinner with the only people in my household. But thanks for thinking of me as a tough guy.
Trade was value for value, or should it be no value for no value?
Change of scenery deal. Kind of reminds me of the pitching version of the Ian Stewart/Tyler Colvin deal. It would be great if Hannah becomes the DJ LeMahieu of that deal.
Great memory. I see Hannah is a fringe player.
To paraphrase the great Aaron Neville, I don’t know much, but I know my Rockies.
You are probably right about Hannah, but it’s fun to dream. Best case scenario is that he could be a new version of Juan Pierre. Likely scenario is he is a new version of Eric Young Jr. that will either be lost on waivers in his 3rd year or traded in a similar situation as this deal.
Hopefully a change of scenery works out for Hoffman and Stephenson. I think Rockies would also benefit from flipping Jon Gray to say, Minnesota for Byron Buxton.
Good trade for both teams, change of scenery needed, Steve bob was done here and Hoffman is a gem in the ruff and now w Boddy & Co.and away from 5,280’ , I don’t think we’ve done many trades with Rockies, this could be to test the waters for future trades, perhaps Story!
This is good for the Reds. Stephenson was serving up home runs at bad times and the Reds gave him every opportunity to stick with the Club. I wouldn’t be surprised if Raisel Iglesias is next. He has been inconsistent and gave up a lot of home run balls to blow games. Payroll we will be a concern for most clubs after 2020 not just the Recs