With several of the top shortstops on the free agent and trade markets now off the board, the Reds are still looking for reliable veteran help at the position. The Athletic’s C. Trent Rosecrans (subscription required) lists some of the names that might still be available for the Reds, including previously-reported trade target Amed Rosario of the Indians and two new names on the radar — the Rays’ Willy Adames and free agent Dee Strange-Gordon.
Cincinnati and Tampa Bay already discussed Adames in trade talks earlier this winter, Rosencrans writes, “but the Reds wanted to explore the free-agent market first.” Since the likes of Didi Gregorius, Marcus Semien, and Andrelton Simmons have all signed elsewhere, it could be possible that the Reds will again circle back to inquire about Adames’ services.
Adames would represent a long-term answer for the Reds’ shortstop position, since he is only 25 years old and under team control through the 2024 season. Originally acquired by the Rays from the Tigers as part of the David Price trade in 2014, Adames has emerged as Tampa’s everyday choice at shortstop, showing gradual improvement at both the plate and in the field.
Over 2393 1/3 innings as a Major League shortstop, Adames has +9 Defensive Runs Saved, though other metrics like Outs Above Average and UZR/150 rank his glovework as subpar. He has also produced at least league-average run production or better over 1112 plate appearances, hitting .262/.329/.426 for his career with 38 home runs (105 OPS+, 106 wRC+).
There are some red flags about Adames’ hitting, however. Amidst an impressive .259/.332/.481 slash line over 205 PA last season, Adames’ .341 wOBA far outpaced his .295 xwOBA, and his 36.1% strikeout rate was one of the worst in baseball. While Adames has gradually improved his hard-hit ball percentages over his three MLB seasons, he is still only middle-of-the-pack in the category.
These could be reasons why the Rays are open to moving a player with Adames’ talent and contractual control, not to mention the fact that Wander Franco is waiting in the wings as Tampa’s shortstop of the future. In the event of an Adames trade, Joey Wendle could take over shortstop until Franco is ready to be promoted, which might not be until at least midway through the 2021 season considering that Franco has yet to even play Double-A ball.
Landing Adames might cost the Reds a significant trade package, however, and a case could be made that Cincinnati might not necessarily want a long-term player at the position, given how many star shortstops will be available in the 2021-22 free agent market. (While the Reds are clearly working with a limited budget this offseason, their financial picture could be different next winter, post-pandemic.) If this is the case, the Reds might just look for a one-year answer like Strange-Gordon, who could act as a stopgap so Cincy could either prepare to add a star free agent next winter, or allow more time for Jose Garcia to develop as the in-house candidate as the shortstop of the future.
“The Reds have at least checked in on Strange-Gordon,” according to Rosecrans, following a dismal season that saw the veteran hit only .200/.268/.213 over 82 PA for the Mariners. It was the worst of a rough three-year stretch in Seattle for Strange-Gordon, and the Mariners unsurprisingly declined their $14MM club option on his services for the 2021 season.
The 32-year-old began his MLB career as a shortstop with the Dodgers but has only played a handful of games at short over the last four seasons, making him something of an imperfect fit as an everyday option. It could be that the Reds might just use Strange-Gordon as something of a utilityman, giving him some time at shortstop but also rotating Garcia and the newly-acquired Kyle Holder at the position.
Strange-Gordon was Flash-Gordon’s socially awkward cousin.
Hahaha. This is good stuff.
In all seriousness, when did he change his name? All week I’ve been seeing his name and originally thought it was a typo of some kind.
I think last year. Could be wrong, but I think his mother passed away recently and he added her maiden name (Strange) to his name as somewhat of a tribute to her.
It is indeed a tribute, but she did not die recently. She died when he was 7 due to a domestic dispute with her boyfriend. He was making a statement due to gun violence in the country.
So you’re saying if she would’ve been stabbed to death, there wouldn’t be said tribute?
Not funny Paula. A tribute to one’s parent is referenced and you’re trying to be a smart ass. You end up being a dumb ass.
*Pauly
Not at all! To me, violence is violence and it doesn’t matter what the implement used is in said violent crime so to isolate said implement is odd.
But I don’t have grievances with inanimate objects, I have that towards warped people which I’m pretty sure is the difference between you & I…
It’s his legal name. After his mother passed away he decided to use it on his jersey
So you should be concerned how easy it is for warped people to get guns
Devaris Strange-Gordon has always been his legal name, but in rookie ball an announcer mispronounced his name so he asked to be just Dee Gordon moving forward. Changed his mind last year to honor his mother.
“Now that I’m an adult, I know all she did for me.”
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2907558-dee-gordon-changes-last-name-to-honor-his-mom-devona-strange-who-was-killed
Good for him
God, that was written by my 10yo nephew, right? “Flash Gordon, awkward cousin “???
Bloody he//, are you mentally/socially a child. Creepy too. Livin’ in Mum’s basement? Consider taco bell real food? Need more fiber in your diet? Crikey!!! Sweet Jeebus!
🙂
You must be a fun guy.
Actually, Tom “Flash” Gordon is his father.
If Adames hits in the World Series maybe the Rays have a better chance at winning the 2020 WS?
Angels should be looking at trading David Fletcher in a package for Luis Castillo
I think the Reds would want several top prospects for Castillo, not David Fletcher.
There is a bizarre fixation with David Fletcher on this board. You would think he’s the Next Roberto Alomar given the amount of people that have him headline trades for frontline players when in reality he may not even be the next Dick Schofield
i rather keep fletcher who plays everyday; shows potential to be truly great 2b; has many years of control. just sign odorizzi unless arte tries to save last few pennies. as usual.
You ain’t gettin’ Castillo. End of discussion.
Would love Castillo for Adames+ … but Gray would be a nice consolation
+Franco? : -)
LOL, An ace for an ok SS.
“Adames+” as in Adames plus a top 100 prospect or two (which they have 8 lol)
Zero percent chance Rays take on Gray’s salary. The Rays are the wrong team to trade with if you are trying to salary dump
Saying “zero percent” is pretty ignorant, with all due respect. The Rays’ FO has guaranteed they’re going to get another starter for this season, and Gray at $10M is definitely an option.
If not Gray, then who? Paxton or Odorizzi will be in that range as well.
Rays have one player on their roster making $10 million or more and its Kevin Kiermaier, who they would trade today if they could find a taker actually willing to give anything of value back in return. The Rays may add another starter but its not going to be in the $10 million or more per year range.
How about other-Gray, Jon? He’s only $5m and I bet the Rays can fix him. Great arm.
Yes, I’m well aware of the Rays and KK’s contract
“..but it’s not going to be in the $10 million or more per range” … then who is it going to be in the free agent market, Rich Hill or Jake Arrieta? Lol c’mon now
Rick Porcello, Anabel Sanchez, julio Teheran, Mike Foltynewich, Brett Anderson, Trevor Cahill, Gio Gonzalez and a few others all could be had for less than $10 million
Gray is a bargain at his salary.
Would not be a dump.
But the Reds have already lost 2 starts. Not giving up antoher.
Go for Villar for 1 or two years.
Exactly. If the Reds are really open to trading more of their starting rotation that would mean they’re not trying to be competitive this year and have no reason to add a starting shortstop.
As a Rays fan who watches every game in person or on MLB tv. A dames is an excellent fielder. He has improved significantly in the last two seasons. He also hit for 20 hrs the last full season. He is a team favorite and important to the energy of the team. He is young and improving from a high level. I would hate to see him traded. Any true ray fan would
He can be a cornerstone for any team in need of a short stop.
It has been a very disappointing post season for ray fans. Two huge SP losses with no pluses. The team was 2 games from a WS win and it went backwards.
The team is far less competitive
Stu the owner only cares about the bottom line. We need a new owner. Not a NYC carpetbagger .
I can see the Rays trading Adames, it will bum me out but there is significant help on the horizon. If they could snag a pitcher? Lights out.
Pathetic. I seriously don’t understand why the majority of the cities with teams even care anymore. We just had a team trade one of the best players in baseball for absolutely nothing, oh and they kicked in $50 to get the deal done. MLB is the worst ran sports organization in the United States. No wonder young people an’t stand this sport anymore. Their teams have catch lightning in a bottle to win a WS. I was such a huge Reds fan, and now I’m discussed with the whole league. Here’s to the Yankee’s buying their next dozen championships. The hell with baseball.
lol.
Well if you’re that discussed then you can just go home grandpa.
I’m only 30 years old. Give it ten year man. No one will want to watch this sport at all. Teams like Pitt, Baltimore, Oakland, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Tampa Bay, Colorado, and Kansas City have so few fans because their teams can’t compete with the others. The NFL is so much better. Change my mind.
lol.
I’ve never seen you here before, so I’d assume you post mainly on pro football rumors. Am I right?
It all depends on how the teams work. Milwaukee has managed to field a pretty good team each year for a long time now, and they have some of the best baseball fans you’ll ever see. KC does there little rebuild phase and then competes every 5 years. It just depends, and yes some teams could be ran way better. The A’s are entirely too cheap and Pitt has crossed over into tanking overdrive. But that’s just how they run, and sadly they have to because of their small markets.
I wouldn’t say that the NFL is better than the MLB imo, but I’m biased. I do think it is the better managed sport though.
I’ll be back, but I have to go do something.
Ty1990? Go. Who wants a complainer around. No one cares you are leaving. Maybe your Mom. You do not have the mettle.
Ty19902 hours ago
I’m only 30 years old. Give it ten year man. No one will want to watch this sport at all. Teams like Pitt, Baltimore, Oakland, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Tampa Bay, Colorado, and Kansas City have so few fans because their teams can’t compete with the others. The NFL is so much better. Change my mind.
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1-10 years? I am today celebrating the 40th anniversary of the 1st time I heard that BB was dead, and that soccer is taking over.
2-You can’t combine all those cities like they are identical. The reason many of those teams don’t draw big crowds is that they are small cities
3-You also can’t say that those cities cannot compete. Cleveland has won 91+ 5 years in a row. TB had the second best record in BB. Oakland 5th, CL 8th.
4-BB actually has far more equilibrium than FB. In the past 20 years, BB has had 14 different champions. I’m not sure FB has had 14 different SB winners in the past 50+ years. In BB, we’ve had 7 different winners in the past 7 years.
In that way yes, the NFL is much better. But certainly not in the sport itself, which to me is like watching paint dry. The NBA is not better, though, arguably better, and it seems to thrive.
The Royals won a WS 6 years ago ♂️
Alsom, apparently emojis don’t transfer over. Should be a face palm after that
The NFL does a better job of making teams down on payroll. It operates as a revenue sharing operation with the players.
Owners in most of the cities you named get more money from revenue sharing than they spend on players. Until that’s stopped, you’re right. Fans will stay away from teams with no hope.
That said I’d rather have my kid play baseball
The NFL insults the country.
I gave up on those communist pigs several years ago, and do not look back.
I hope they go BK.
If you go back in the last 10 years of World Series appearances you see a lot of those teams is on that list. If buying championship won every time, no one but the Yankees and Dodgers would win a WS. I do understand what you’re saying but you have to admit, this model does force teams to be creative, which is good for baseball.
Tampa Bay “can’t compete with
Others”!! Where have you been lately!!
Tampa Bay competed all the way to the WS!!
Ty199017 mins ago
Pathetic. I seriously don’t understand why the majority of the cities with teams even care anymore.
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Most of them actually do quite well.. Just not Cincy & Pitt. The 3 AL division winners were all small market. CL has won 90+ the past 5 years. Small market teams can do well, but they cannot expect to do well every year.
The problem is not wins and losses, it’s fan experience. The good small-to-mid market teams cannot keep recognizable stars, so even if they’re like the Rays and manage to play well year after year, it’s with an entirely new cast of characters each time and fans who like to root for individual players are uninterested despite the cool things the nerds in the back room are doing with their laptops. The Rockies tried but couldn’t in the end afford it. Many others don’t even try.
@seamaholic I said something similar to this on an A’s thread recently and it was called stupid. There’s no point arguing with people who watch a sport and see only business analytics.
I love geeking out on the math, but it only complements my real joy, which is to be entertained by the sport and the players, and if a good player sticks around a while, it is even better to follow.
Can we trade GM’s?
The Rays (used to live in Tampa), are one of the best run teams in BB.
Good luck guys.
You’re not wrong. Hopefully the next CBA can straighten out some of the inequities. MLB needs to adopt a similar payroll and revenue sharing structure like the NFL.
any team has a chance to win. the Rays won the AL with a miniscule payroll last year.
And no one goes to their games and baseball fans who saw them for the first extended period during the post season were turned off. There’s a reason for that.
“Anyone can win” doesn’t mean every organization has the same chance. For the long term health of the sport, there needs to be a restructuring. It’s not even about a few teams outspending, it’s also teams underspending.
seamaholic3 mins ago
There’s a reason for that.
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The reason is that they are bad fans. I’m not sure what they are looking for. If you like BB, you show up and root for your team. Occasionally, you win.
@darkside only one team in the last 30 years won the world series whose salaries were ranked in the bottom half.
I agree. I’d be furious if I cheered for the Cubs, Rays, or Cleveland right now. They all made the playoffs, one made the WS, yet they decide it’s time to deal their best players? At least stop lying to the fans, just admit you’re in it for the money and couldn’t care less about winning. It’s absolutely pathetic that there’s been like 5 or 6 teams who have made meaningful additions to their teams at this point in the offseason and that’s it.
The issue is that you have a paradox. The only that TB and CL get in the playoffs is by flipping players. You cannot laud them for making the playoffs, while simultaneously disparaging the model that gets thm to the playoffs.
This. The only way to compete with a small market is to show up with an anonymous herd of kids every year and just scout them better than anyone else. The average sports fan could not possibly be less interested in teams like that, no matter how many games they win.
Then you live with a losing team.
If you put into context the Arenado trade was less about just dumping salary and more about moving a disgruntled player that has had issues with the teams GM. The Rockies may be able to take the money owed to Arenado and sign Story to an extension. And lets see if Arenado is still “one of the best players in Baseball” now that he won’t play 81 games at Coors Field
nah nah nah hey hey hey
Let’s throw a quick package together:
Reds get: Adames
Rays get: Santillan, Jose Garcia, and Joel Kuhnel
Quick throw together and not much research done, but thoughts?
I’m hungry.
Hello hungry, I’m Rangers29.
Why the hell would they give up the SS of their future(Garcia) for this guy? Do you know anything about this team at all?
are they *really* that high on Garcia? his numbers really dont impress me.
Because Adames has multiple years of control and would become their SS of the future.
No thanks. Adames isn’t worth it. They shouldn’t even give this deal consideration. See my post below..
Without much research, why would the Rays want a SS prospect? That’s exactly why they would be trading Adames.
Rays: Castillo
Reds: Adames, Edwards, Ryan
Not even close. Considering salary Castillo may literally be the most valuable pitcher in the game.
Hahahahah most valuable pitcher in the game!? I’ll give you the NL Central but yikes
Are you on crack? No way do I make that trade if I’m the Rays. Ryan is ready for the big now!
Got to get to give. 3 years of Castillo in the key window of what the Rays have been building a decade for? Not crazy at all, my guy.
Castillo would nearly ensure another WS appearance. If the price is too high for him, make it Adames for Ludolo+
Probably not enough for the Rays. I’d do it if I were the Reds.
Rangers should be on the phone with the Reds, offering to pick up most of the tab on Andrus in exchange for a B level prospect. He’s a serviceable stopgap.
Why dont the cheap asses just put Senzil back at short, or leave Garcia there instead of getting their butts wiped in a trade where we give away prospects for has been, never wasers or never will be’s.
Senzel has never really played SS. I don’t think they view him as an acceptable fit there.
Dee would be cheap….I don’t hate the idea as much as I hate Covid…
Reds best bet is probably Rosario. I don’t see them enticing TB for Adames and Strange-Gordon I don’t think has the range to play SS everyday anymore.
I agree. Rosario is the best available unless Story is available. Give Colorado Aquino, India, and Alfredo Rodriguez. That should be enough. Don’t know what Story’s contract situation is but might need to make some adjustments.
Story has one year left of control at $17.5m.
Is it just me, or does Willie Adames scream “Meh” as a shortstop? He really doesn’t do anything overly well and he doesn’t seem like he’s going to make the jump to the Correa, Boegarts level let alone the Lindor, Story, Seager, etc. level. The Reds really shouldn’t consider giving up a big prospect package for the likes of Adames. They should sign someone like Jonathan Villar to a one year deal, work in the new kid they just acquired and re-evaluate the position next offseason.
Took the words right out of my mouth, Dorothy; Adames right now is the definition of “meh”. BUT it should be noted he’s only 25, and his defense (throw those numbers away) has improved (considerably IMHO) the last couple of years.
In-game, he takes plays off some times (he always did; read the scouting reports) but a matured Adames could be a plus player.
I doubt Wonder Wander stays at SS; Brujan probably won’t either. But Alika Williams, who they drafted in 2020, will come quick, and he’s already the best defensive SS in the system. Until then, Wendle, pound for pound their best fundamental player, can hold the fort.
Old Bob you throw tons of info out there as usual but your wrong again. Walls is the best defensive SS in the system.
A point of course I made in another post. Gotta read the whole book, not just the back cover.
I think the Reds are sniffing around, because Adames wouldn’t take a lot to get in a trade.
Adames has a career 4.4 WAR/650, a 4.2 bWAR in 2019, and 1.9 in about 1/3rd of a season.
I think WAR is one of the most subjective ‘stats’ in baseball and can’t be counted on. I don’t know how it became the gold standard to measure a player’s worth. Here’s a prime example:
Dustin May’s first year as a Dodger:
34.2 IP / 33H / 32Ks / 5BB / 2HR / ERA 3.63 / FIP 2.90 / ERA+ 115 / WHIP 1.096 / BB9 1.3 / SO9 8.3 / HR9 0.5 /
Pretty darn good stats, right? Well his WAR for this effort was -0.2! How the heck can they say that his performance was 2/10 of a game worse than an average replacement level pitcher? It shows me that WAR is a joke. All of his numbers were better than league average, just look at his ERA+ & FIP but he gets a negative WAR for this? Explain…
Using the same guy (May). In 2020 he threw 56.2 innings. His ERA was better (2.57) and he allowed slightly less H9, but every other key stat was worse (FIP 4.62 / HR9 1.4 / BB9 2.6 / SO9 7.1) except his ERA+ was somehow 165. This gave him a +1.4 WAR for the season, when every number but his ERA & ERA+ were worse over a larger sample size. I don’t get how they determine WAR. If you ask me, 2019 Dustin May was more valuable than 2020 Dustin May.
WAR is like every other baseball stat ever created (and remember these are are all constructs). It’s vaguely relevant; Mike Trout’s a better player than Jose Sucre. But its utility ends there.
bWAR is calculated through RA9 for pitchers. fWAR is much better in determing player value. You’re using May as an example, he had a .9 fWAR in 2019 and .5 fWAR in 2020.
All full-time shortstops have pretty good looking WAR numbers, because the position has the highest (by far) positional adjustment. You have to compare to other shortstops.
You have to compare to other shortstops.
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Okay, he finished #7 in wRC+ among SS’s.
Adames can be an above average shortstop that won’t make any all-star teams. He is the type of player who can get 3.5-4 WAR over a full season. Plus, he has a lot of team control. He definitely has value, and he is a lot more valuable than a ‘meh’ shortstop.
With that being said, I think the Reds would be better off trading for Story and extending him than going after Adames.
Meh for me. Average solid guy. Needs to walk more or strike out less. If the rays are looking to trade him that tells you everything. Selling high while they can. They would love to keep Franco in minors for a year and half.
They also have Taylor Walls, who’ll give better defense with about 75% of the offense. The Rays are filthy with middle IFers.
So I can see them moving Adames now, before he hits his arb-years. A guy like that loses value when he gets that far up the food chain.
I think the Rays match up well for a trade with the Reds. Adames and a prospect for a pitcher seems to be agreeable to both teams.
One of the best ran teams vs one of the worst. Always a great match up.
I identified Adames as a top target in September. https://maxsportingstudio.com/reds-offseason-trade-target-ss-willy-adames/
Gold star for you.
Sign Gordon cheap and have him run a cycke. Problem solved
Adames for Gray?
So tradevalues tells me that A. Garrett, T. Barnhart, and S. Gray for Adames is a good trade.
You can’t just add up players to equal out a trade simulator. Volume is not the goal in trades, it’s filling the needs of both teams.
Its a great trade-for the Rays, its also an unrealistic one
Reds would never take Adames for Gray, let alone add value. If you haven’t noticed travevalues is horsepoop.
@ajrodz1335- no way Rays will take on that $12 million salary this season for Gray. But Adames could definitely be had for the right price. Nick Senzel and a power arm in the minors probably could get it done.
Yank4Life- This. Rays didn’t trade Snell’s $12 million salary to take on Sonny’s 12 mil,. I could see those cheap asses asking for cash to take on Castillo’s lmfao.
If the Reds are going to trade for a SS, it should be Story.
Adames is the better get for the Reds; still young, cheap, and controllable for the next five seasons. Because of that though he will likely cost some decent prospect capital.
Strange-Gordon will be 33 shortly after opening day. Has played only 16 games at SS the past seven seasons and his only real asset is his speed which is declining.
It may all be moot anyway and the Reds could decide to roll with Kyle Holder at SS next season
Dee Gordon could have been the next Rickey Henderson.
Rickey Henderson??? Rickey had multiple single seasons with more HRs than Dee has in a 10 year career. That is a ridiculous insane comparison. Dee Gordon to one of the best ever. More like he could have been the next Otis Nixon
Unfortunately, he turned into Henderson, Florence.
Adames has stud written all over him. But he K’s a lot. He shows flashes with the bat and can defend at SS. One would hope he is entering his prime. He has a ton of talent.
He’s a mediocre defensive shortstop that hits like a DH. Lots of home runs and lots of K’s. There are so many better options out there.
For now yes. I’ve watched him enough. He has the potential to be better than he is. He is not there. But thanks.
SS Erik Gonzalez from Pirates would also be a dark horse to obtain.
Jonathan Villar or a trade for Trevor Story.
unless all you want id a mediocre shortstop, why shop for one now when all the the best available ones are off the market?
what a few months and the free-agents-to-be will become available
The minute Galvis signed with Baltimore for pennies I knew Cincy was screwed. Not saying Galvis is great but you desperately need a SS and you don’t match 1.5 million?
I wonder if the A’s are after Amed Rosario.
Braves are interested in everyone
Since no one wants Villar, maybe he won’t cost much.
Well, even if they are not trying to win, they have to send SOMEBODY out there!