The Cincinnati Reds have never been type of team to make a huge move. Especially under current management, the operative word in Cincinnati has been rebuild…. and rebuild and rebuild. Cincinnati boasts a talented roster with a rotation that’s delivering exceptional performances. Their lineup is brimming with young talent that’s just beginning to tap into their full potential. They are steadily transforming their challenging season and inching closer to securing a playoff position.
What better time to break the norm and go all in on a huge move? If they continue this run their on, they’ll be in a great position at the deadline and there’s a certain available superstar with three years of team control. I think we’ve all noted the stark need for an everyday right-handed bat in that outfield too.
Acquiring Luis Robert Jr. shows that the Cincinnati Reds want to win right now.
Writers Mike & Nati traded ideas of potential packages. Be sure to look at Mike’s below Nati’s. I’d say that Mike’s is the most “oh yeah, this will be accepted” because of the quality AND quantity of prospects, but Nati’s is the more conservative approach; after all, Luis Robert Jr has been made of glass and has a whole lot of time spent on the injured list. Let us know what you think…
Nati’s package for the Chicago White Sox
What the Reds Get
Why does Nati’s make sense for both teams?
Keep in mind, this is hypothetical. We feel this makes perfect sense for both teams. For what seems like the case for a majority of front offices, a quantity trade has been off radar for awhile now, it’s almost become taboo, but this is a package that includes both Quantity AND Quality. We proposed a package of two top 100 prospects, one former top 100 (Phillips) a promising big leaguer with plenty of control (Benson doesn’t expire until 2029) in the organization and a very projectable one. Some would argue Petty is the best arm in the organization, also on several top 100 lists. Look, let’s be real here, this is an absolute haul for the CWS. Luis Robert Jr hasn’t been able to stay healthy in any capacity, and what the White Sox are “seeking” from him is more of a joke than the one they wanted from the Reds for Dylan Cease at the deadline last year. I’m giving this much up for 2023 Robert Jr. I’d be OK giving up another projectable arm here like Ty Floyd or a more under the radar arm, Julian Aguiar. I asked a diehard White Sox fan what he would expect out of a Robert Jr trade, and he said 3 top 100 prospects and more.
Mike V’s package for the Chicago White Sox
What the Reds Get
OF Luis Robert Jr.
What the White Sox Get
INF Cam Collier
INF Sal Stewart
RHP Connor Phillips
OF Hector Rodriguez
OF Rece Hinds
More Analysis Needed: What are the Cincinnati Reds actually getting and giving up in these proposals?
Cincinnati is in need of a young, controllable star outfielder in that right-handed batter’s box, and Luis Robert Jr is easily the best available on the market. He slugged 38 home runs last season and is an everyday player – still batting .250+ against RHP. With a robust farm system, Cincinnati is well-positioned to make such a trade feasible. Besides, how fun would a Cincinnati Reds team be that showcases Luis Robert alongside Elly De La Cruz?
However, the White Sox have stated that they want more than what the Padres gave up to acquire Juan Soto from the Nationals in 2022. In that deal, the Padres sent SS CJ Abrams, LHP MacKenzie Gore, OF Robert Hassell III, OF James Wood, RHP Jarlin Susana and 1B Luke Voit.
Cincinnati might need to trade three of their top 15 prospects and then some, one being their one-time top 100 prospect Cam Collier. But it could be done. And since it can be done, we’re going to discuss it.
Collier is a massive talent. He was the Reds 1st round pick (18th overall) in 2022 after all. But Cincinnati has Elly De La Cruz (duh), Matt McLain, Noelvi Marte, Jeimer Candelario, and Spencer Steer all available to man the left side of the infield. Some think Collier will end up transitioning to 1B given that he’s still growing, and defense and athleticism are the weak points in his game. He’s currently batting .240 with 10 HRs, 18 BB, but 57 SO. Collier won’t be ready until earliest 2026, but the White Sox are not in a hurry and can develop him wherever they see fit.
Collier alone won’t be near enough to do it though. If Edwin Arroyo was healthy, the Reds may be able to go more straight up in a trade for Robert Jr., but being injured, no team is likely to sell such a high value asset for a haul centered around Arroyo.
The Reds will have to put together a haul according to the reports mentioned before. They’ll likely need another infielder in the package. We’ll have to part ways with Sal Stewart or a guy like him. Carlos Jorge has lost most of his value lately, and Ricardo Cabrera is likely too far off. Stewart becomes a casualty here, but one the Reds will have to swallow to get this deal done. They’ll also need to include at least one pitcher more than likely.
That’s where Connor Phillips comes in. Phillips has struggled mightily of late, as we noted here. Many of you would be loath to let him walk. but that’s exactly why he’d be necessary in such a trade. On the year, he’s 2-4 with a 9.00 ERA. That’s one run an inning! He’s also got a 2.20 WHIP. Not a great first half. To be fair to Phillips though, his performance so far has not dampened the expectations scouts have for him. He’s still a valid trade piece and this would not be considered “selling low”.
Lastly, to get the deal over the edge, I think we have to include a couple of solid outfielders. The White Sox have quite a logjam of pitching talent at the top of their prospect rankings, but they only have one outfielder. We discussed what we have in Rodriguez here. He was half of the Tyler Naquin trade and he’s no slouch, so don’t consider him a “throw-in” piece here – Luis Robert Jr. is just that good.
The Reds may also have to include OF Rece Hinds in this deal (although Nati went with Benson and more pitching). After a pretty impressive year last year, Hinds has sort of stagnated since being promoted to AAA ball. He does have 9 home runs and still projects as a major league corner outfielder. The White Sox could do worse, and he would likely get some playing time in the near future.
All-in-all the Reds acquire the best available outfielder in the game and get to keep their top 3 prospects intact. I don’t think Arroyo is untouchable but keeping him while acquiring Luis Robert Jr simply because he is injured is a blessing. Just imagine these following lineups.
| vLHP | vRHP | |
| C | Tyler Stephenson | Tyler Stephenson |
| 1B | Spencer Steer | Christian Encarnacion-Strand |
| 2B | Matt McLain | Matt McLain |
| 3B | Noelvi Marte | Noelvi Marte |
| SS | Elly De La Cruz | Elly De La Cruz |
| LF | Stuart Fairchild | Spencer Steer |
| CF | TJ Friedl | TJ Friedl |
| RF | Luis Robert Jr. | Luis Robert Jr. |
| DH | Jeimer Candelario | Will Benson/Jake Fraley |
TJ Friedl has a significant advantage in CF over Luis Robert Jr. according to Statcast showing Friedl with a better jump, burst, and outs above average. Luis Robert Jr does have an impressive arm though (ranking in the 86th percentile) making him a great candidate for RF in the Reds lineup. Notice how this gives the Reds the flexibility to not bat a single one of Will Benson, Jake Fraley, Jacob Hurtubise, or Nick Martini against LHP. Beautiful.
Look at his man and tell me he doesn’t look like he belongs in a Cincinnati Reds uniform. I dare you. Unfortunately, for those of us that love our captain, there’s not a ton of space for Jonathan India if the Reds make this move. If he picks up an OF glove, he can rotate in often, but this lineup is too rich. How can you not make this trade after seeing those lineups? Comment your trade ideas below.
Elly de La Cruz Electricidad Vintage Style T-shirt
Elly De La Cruz vintage style t-shirt – Perfect for Bristol Speedway in 2025!
Simply love it. Go get em Nick