Now, before we even get started, I think there’s plenty that can refute the logistics of this. That doesn’t mean it can’t happen, but if I was Nick Krall, I’d be in Chris Getz’s ear every single day. Let’s make the Cincinnati Reds a lot better by trading with somebody we pair well with, the Chicago White Sox, shall we?
“Eliminating Peaks & Valleys”
In 2022, when the Reds decided to rip the bandaid off and “tear down,” GM Nick Krall said time and time again the organization’s goals were to “eliminate peaks & valleys” – what he meant by that was simple: Win consistently, not in windows. Now, you do that by keeping your MLB roster stockpiled with young, controlled talent, but more importantly, you keep your farm system stocked with very young, projectable players. Going and getting these two would go against that, but we have our reasonings for doing it…
- The Reds youthful core is locked in to team control through 2028-29 at the LEAST. Elly, Steer, Noelvi, McLain join that regard. I can make another post about how long the Reds have these guys if it’s something you guys would be interested in, comment below.
- By the time the Reds would “unload” prospect capital, they should also be able to replenish it through the draft and international pool, thus eliminating any negative affects.
- The Cincinnati Reds pick 2nd overall and SHOULD be adding a franchise changer this summer on July 14th, which should provide even more confidence in moving assets.
Making a case for Luis Robert Jr & Garrett Crochet
Garrett Crochet is arguably a top 20 starter in the game right now in his first year of starting, his advanced profile is absolutely disgustingly good, and you can make the case he’s still “raw” – he can develop better secondaries and be even better, it’s the only thing knocking his profile overall. Otherwise? ELITE. And folks, he’s been playing all year on one of the worst teams in Major League history.
Now, for as many kudos as we can give Crochet, there’s some unfortunate truth to the pudding: He has injury history, he is, and should be on an inning limit, and according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the White Sox are entertaining the idea of an acquiring team extending him beyond his 2027 expiration for a better return. Hard to blame them, because the two knocks I started this passage out with are very real. Inning limits are a concern, he’s never thrown more than 90 innings professionally OR collegiately – for a guy with Tommy John scars, that? That’s scary. But with winning comes risks. One I’d be willing to make. Crochet is locked into a very, very CHEAP ‘prove it’ deal with CWS, at $800,000 for Arb 1. He’s controlled through 2026, fitting a “window” for the Reds for sure. His last 2 are arb years.
Luis Robert Jr is someone who could have the potential to be a top 20 player in Major League Baseball with protection in the lineup, but more importantly, health. He’s not had either of those throughout his career for the most part. That would deem him a very risky player, but one, like Crochet, I’d take the risk on. I’m trying to put as much young, controllable talent as fiscally and physically possible around our Cincinnati Reds.
Luis Robert Jr has hardly piled 125 ABs up just yet, so it’s hard to look at his 2024 season thus far where he’s not been completely healthy again and judge his profile. What we will look at, is the fact that the dude is MASHING, and mashing with zero protection in the lineup, homeruns. He has 9 HRs already on his campaign, and that’s out of his 23 total hits. That’s a welcoming addition to a team like the Reds that is struggling mightily with consistent power in its outfield. What makes Luis Robert Jr such an attractive potential acquisition is not his power, it’s his contract. It’s extremely team friendly. If he sucks, you cut him loose, and he has no control over that. If he’s been good, you keep him entering his prime. It’s truly a win-win situation here.
Let’s make a deal.
According to Bob Nightengale, the Chicago White Sox are seeking young, extremely high ceiling prospects for Garrett Crochet. So let’s get some of those in a package. Nightengale noted the White Sox were very hesitant to deal Luis Robert Jr due to his injury concern and his “slow” start to 2024, stating that most teams were ‘lowballing’ the team due to those concerns, and went as far as stating they’d hold onto Luis until the winter. Tremendous disservice to him.
Reds go for it all and land Luis & Garrett from Chicago
Does this get it done…
First, I want to say, if the White Sox prefer someone like Edwin Arroyo, I’d absolutely put him in here in place of Ricardo Cabrera. Also, what a terrible year for Christian Encarnacion-Strand to be hurt, because I’d put him in here with no questions asked, too. The White Sox need OF prospects primarily, some of which, we know the Reds do not possess, so that could be what gets this cancelled out. Otherwise, this is a very strong offer. Do you think it gets done with this offer? Chime in with comments below!
Elly de La Cruz Electricidad Vintage Style T-shirt
Elly De La Cruz vintage style t-shirt – Perfect for Bristol Speedway in 2025!
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