Rumor Mill: The Ask For Taylor Ward Is WHAT?

The Cincinnati Reds need a outfield bat, and let me tell you, they’ve engaged in just about every avenue that there is to engage with to get one. Their financial restraints that they’ve been continuing to cite hasn’t helped them, but it’s time for them to pony up and land one, especially if the rumor about what is desired is out of Taylor Ward’s return is accurate, and it sure makes sense.

Taylor Ward & the GABP Effect

First things first, Taylor Ward is such an offensive upgrade from everything we have in the OF it’s actually wild, and, like the heading suggests, the GABP effect is only going to cater to that even more. He hit 25 HRs in 2024, and our favorite stat, the ‘Expected Homeruns by Ballpark’ from Statcast suggests he would’ve hit 35 if he had played at GABP, so there’s that. Just look at the dudes peripheral, would you? Speaks for itself.

Not only was he great offensively, he was dandy in the field as well defensively. 3 OAA would’ve lead our corner outfield in production, so like we’ve stated, if what is rumored to be desired in a package from the Angels is true, this is a NO BRAINER, I don’t care if Taylor Ward is making $7.5M through arb, you pony the damn money up and land a 2.3 bWAR/2.7 fWAR player that is only going to perform better at GABP.

So What Do We Believe To Be The Ask?

“Quit trying to sell me sh*t and tell me who the hell was rumored to be asked for by the Angels, for f*ck sake.” – you, right now probably. But come on man, I’m wearing that crew neck right now and it’s comfortable as hell. Chase Petty. Chase Petty is who is rumored to be desired for the Los Angeles Angels side. This comes from a leak that genuinely makes me depressed to be a Reds fan. It involves a white board. Let’s say that. We’re conducting our business on white boards in 2025. Yep. But it’s real. And it’s serious. And if I’m Nick Krall or Brad Meador, that trade is made TODAY.

If you can’t pony up an additional $7.8M to get Ward’s stick in your lineup reguarly, you need to sell the team, but genuinely this time. I’d be trading Chase Petty + a low level prospect for Ward anyday of the week. He doesn’t expire until 2027. You have 2 more years of him, plus, all the chance in the world to extend him. Another fun fact, he was born in Dayton, OH. So potentially he has family here. Make the trade.

But Didn’t We Give Up A Lot For Chase Petty?

That answer is yes, they sold Sonny Gray super cheap in my opinion, to the Twins in ’21, but ’25 is a great chance to improve that deal. Petty is a good ass arm, don’t get me wrong, former 1st round pick at that, projects well, has been pretty healthy, but your club doesn’t have starting pitching issues and it’s arguably the best place to trade from right now…

Also, Chase Petty has a weird tattoo. I’m just saying. Dude got another grown man tatted on him. I’m still cheering for him, but look, dude, that’s just weird. Yep, bro got Marcus Stroman tattooed on him because “HDMH” bro. Trade him!