The Cincinnati Reds didn’t sign Kyle Schwarber. Their offer just simply wasn’t good enough as their reported offer was $25,000,000 shy of what we know at least two other teams offered him – including the team that he would sign with, the Philadelphia Phillies. The rumors that came out after that included that the team was going to essentially back off from any other “expensive free agents” and had about $5-10,000,000 to spend the rest of the offseason. But this morning it seems that maybe that’s changed a little bit as Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic says that the front office is considering looking into a trade for Ketel Marte, who the Arizona Diamondbacks may be looking to move on from.
The Reds would be taking on a lot of money in such a deal if they took on the entirety of the contract. Marte is owed $81,000,000 over the next five seasons with salaries of $20M, $22M, and $22M in the final three years of the deal. There’s also a player option for 2031 at $11,500,000. There are also incentives for up to $5,500,000 every season of his contract for things such as plate appearances and MVP votes in the previous season.
Early on in the deal Marte is set to make less money, with a $15,000,000 salary in 2026 and a $12,000,000 salary in 2027. Those numbers are low enough that the club could probably figure out how to make it work while giving them time to plan around things when the dollars escalate later on.
As for Ketel Marte the player, he’s spent most of the last two seasons at second base. In the past he’s also played some center. He’s been an All-Star the last two years and he played like one in 2023, too. Back in 2019 he was also an All-Star. Over the previous three seasons the switch hitter has posted 16 WAR and hit .283/.368/.519 with 89 home runs, 249 RBI, 200 walks, and 298 strikeouts in 412 games. While that’s not quite on par with Kyle Schwarber from an offensive profile, that’s a legitimate middle of the order bat. You can see his career stats here.
Moving to the other side of the equation, though, is what it would take to actually acquire him in trade. And that’s a pretty big thing for a lot of reasons. Cincinnati doesn’t have a great farm system, but it’s also not a bad one. And they issue with the farm is more that after you get beyond the top 10 that the depth takes a good hit, but at the top of the farm they have guys worth talking about. Those are the prospects that a team would focus on in this kind of deal if they were looking for prospects.
The Reds also have some young players who aren’t quite prospects anymore. Whether guys like Noelvi Marte or Chase Burns would be on the table in this kind of deal is certainly debatable, but Arizona is looking for young players under longer term team control and those guys fit that bill.
Considering making a play = In the mix for
I DON’T BELIEVE IT.
C’mon Krall…..for the love of god, we dont need any 32 year old 2nd basemen. Enough of this. Go out and look to spend that money and a trade on someone younger that can play in the outfield longterm and possibly hit 30 home runs a year. Somebody like a Jackson Merrill. The Padres need pitching. At least test the waters.
The Padres also need Jackson Merrill, who’s getting paid $1 million in 2026 and is their primary LH hitter.
They traded that guy for Lux last year
He has played CF before and 32 is actually younger than Schwarber is. Or does this mean that McLain is starting the year in AAA. He does have all of his options still.
I will be shocked if the Reds do anything, but this is a relatively affordable contract for the next 2 seasons at least. I do like Marte as a player. If the Reds do, make this deal they need to go out and get the other guy named Marte so we can have 3 of them on the same team. lol.
Me neither. A pessimist is never disappointed.
Smoke no fire.
Sounds great, trade unneeded, consistently disappointing pitching for him, say, oh yeah, Hunter.
Yeah right.
But the fan base should absolutely keep the pressure on these people in the front office. They’re hearing it right now. Don t let up. We’ll be rebuilding again in four years anyways. You know it . I know it.
First warning for avoiding the swear filter.
You’ve been around long enough to know you can’t post like this. Come on man.
How many warnings do I get? Because, boy, I sure feel like to using them up right about now.
One. With a little leeway based on what another one was for and how long it’s been since the first one.
Klugo Stand down
Rosenthal adds beyond the Marte and Lowe trade interest:
“The Reds also are looking at a number of free agents, and one rival executive estimates they are involved in a dozen scenarios.”
Lots of irons in the fire. Can’t wait to see how it plays out.
Involved in a number of free agents, but get no good ones. Just another like the last two. The Reds have no clue.
Marte and Lowe, 2nd basemen, suggests a McLain story that hasn’t been picked up yet.
It was the first thing I thought of when I saw these rumors. Have they lost all faith in McLain. Is he becoming a backup for 2nd and SS?
This also could just be a bunch of steam blowing out to ease the fan base too.
“The Reds would be taking on a lot of money in such a deal if they took on the entirety of the contract “
Which is exactly why it won’t happen. Sell the team Bob.
D’backs should give the Reds prospects to take on anything close to that kind of money!
Per another site, Marte’s excess value is 69Mil.
Reds going to have to give up something good to get time.
Rosenthal, realizing his click value declined by about 80 pct. after the Schwarber news, decides … hey, let’s report the Reds are after an Arizona FA. That’ll keep me relevant. Guess who bought the bait?
Good grief! Why not just go fully far fetched and say they are interested in trading for Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani? lol
Lol
WOULDN’T THAT BE GREAT!!! AND MIKE TROUT TOO!!!!!!
Yeah, it’s the silly season for baseball rumors.
Yes! Add him too, David.
Throw in Skenes on the side.
Ketel Marte took off an extra game before the all star break, then no showed two more games after the all star game this past season. This is not the kind of player the Reds need to serve as a seasoned veteran leader. period. The snakes already have hinted they know the package deal he would bring is negatively impacted by this history, which is exactly why we would be sniffing around when others have walked away. This contract deal would age worse than the Hayes deal. Does this mean we deal McLain too? We all watched him struggle horribly last year too, but remember Suarez did not hit well the year after he messed up his shoulder. I would much prefer to ride him one more year before we give up on him.
Walk,, no run away from this deal. From what I understand is he’s 32, and that’s a heck of a lot of money for that age. Anybody remember Candy, or Moose? No, no, no.
This notion that he is 32 is insane. Schwarber is currently 33 and everyone is losing their mind that he didn’t get signed. Quit using age as a determent.
I am probably in the minority here, but I would take Lowe or Marte over what McLain did last season. Also, this guy might get moved to CF and move Friedl to LF which would help him as well.
Won’t happen so next? The Reds missed on their guy who would have loved coming here. I’m tired of the whole “they can’t pay this amount or that amount”. Spend the money if you have a team with a really good foundation and just needs some parts. It’s not like Reds have opportunities like this very often. Go for it and stop worrying about the bottom line in the future. But that won’t happen either so once again I’ll say next?
Age is definitely a detriment. There are exceptions to the rule, but 32,33 things just start to slow down, and it doesn’t improve.
Don’t buy this for a minute. Sounds like another con. Besides he doesn’t exactly fit the need. It’s not time for Krall to make a move. There are still good players available. He’ll wait to February and pick from the leftovers, as he does every year.
I also doubt that this more than a smokescreen, but he is a legit middle of the order bat, so he does fit the perceived need.
Do you really believe its all on Krall? What about the owners, as to me they are the real problem. Gm can only do what the ownership will allow. Of course I can be wrong, however more so tired of the ole song and dance that its all on Krall.
I believe that to be true. The other thing he might do is go spend on the bullpen to make it stronger. The hard part is that you still have to score runs to win games no matter how good your pitching is.
A trade for Marte will never happen.
Snakes need ML ready pitching. Reds are reluctant to part with it, for good reason. Lowder won’t cut it in a trade for Marte. It would take Burns no doubt.
Not happening.
In the end, it will be Ryan O’Hearn or Brandon Lowe, which would be good additions if accompanied by something else of significance. But ultimately I suspect O’Hearn or Lowe will be this year’s Austin Hays. That will be it, except for some cheapish relief pitchers.
All good points ATH, also why would Arizona take on part of Marte’s salary when any number of teams would take on most if not all of his salary? The only way it happens is if the Reds overpay in talent.
Exactly. Arizona taking on salary just increases the cost in talent going back their way.
It would probably be something like Burns, Santillan, Tyson Lewis, Hector Rodriguez going back the other way.
There’s no way to get a guy controlled for 5 more seasons that has been a consistent producer with over 16 bWAR last 3 years without giving up tremendous young talent.
If the team isn’t going to actually do anything big then I would not totally hate getting O’Hearn or Lowe. I think both those players are worth at least 3 WAR. Could be wrong on Lowe I didn’t look him up.
I do expect the Reds to make a push for a mild improvement in the 2nd rung of either Free agents or make a change via trade.
I tuned into the MLB network last night just in time to hear what Krall had to say. I abruptly changed the channel. Frankly I’m tired of listening to him regardless of the topic or event. Actions please – no more mere words that never translate into positive or move forward deeds. Apparently he can’t hit for contact nor power as a “GM.”
Marte / Duran…. Would be a great trade, much higher WAR then Schwaber (Would have been good signing however he is no longer available), younger, much less expensive ($ for other positions)….signed for 5 years (Years 3-5 still less then Schwaber offered by Reds). Most of Reds best players are controlled for next 4 years, time to win is now….
Reds were #1 in Baseball in overall pitching according to ERA+. They were in the bottom 5 in hitting (90 with average being 100). They have Burns all year and Lowder and Williamson both coming back. (Yes lose Martinez). Trade from strength.
Offer Lodolo / Petty or prospect not named Duno (must keep) (included w Marte only) for either Marte (4+ WAR) or Duran (Red Sox) or Abreu (Red Sox). If Marte, he goes to 2b and McLain goes to CF / Friedl to LF. If Duran (LF) or Abreu (RF).
Or (don’t like this as much with Green signed longer)….Offer Green for Duran or Abreu and Payton Tolle (6 years of control)
Much improved lineup….Stewart all year, Steer not hurt, Duran or Marte, N. Marte all year, EDLC not hurt. McLain is wildcard, ‘hope’ goes back to pre injury, even half way is a huge improvement with his defense he is still very valuable. Every position would improve in WAR, even 3B as Hayes’s defense gives him 2+ and if he hits even more.
DH Steer or Stewart
2b Marte (Trade A) (or McLain (Trade B))
SS EDLC
LF Duran (Trade B) (or Friedl (Trade A))
1b Stewart or Steer
RF N. Marte
CF Friedl (Trade B) or McLain (Trade A)
C Stephenson / Trevino
3b Hayes
Bench
C Stephenson / Trevino
OF Benson / Dunn / Hinds
Utility / INF Arroyo (rather play FT in AAA) / LUX / CES or one of above
OF / INF One of above or TBD
SP
Abbott
Green
Burns
Singer
Lowder (if ready / many AAA options for 5th starter)
Williamson / Petty (if not traded) / Aguiar / Spiers / Others in AAA
RP
Pagan
Santillan
Ashcraft
Maxwell
May
Phillips
Richardson
Moll
(Starters above not in rotation)
many options not listed plus could sign folks
Any trade of Hunter Greene to the Red Sox starts and ends with Roman Anthoby. No less.
On a practical note, the Sox have just acquired a starting pitcher and are said to be dealing from an excess of pitching.
So, their holes are 2B and 3B. We could offer a deal built around McLain for Duran or Abreu, but they are aiming much, much higher, ie Ketel Marte.
It is more likely we have missed the boat with the Red Sox. Big surprise.
Marte’s contract isn’t bad at all. From 2026 to 2030 (his age 32-26 years), he’s due $15mm, $12mm, $20mm, $22mm and $22mm. Over the past two seasons, he’s slashed .288 /.374/.539, for an OPS+ of 150.
But that raises the question of why Arizona wants to trade a good contract on a productive player. There are some murmurs about his clubhouse presence, but as always, who knows about those stories? And there is the aging curve issue, even if it hasn’t shown itself yet.
The D-Backs want starting pitching, so it may cost Nick Wet Fingers Lodolo and another piece to do it.
Not impossible, but I’m not counting on it.
Snakes want a package like the Friars gave for 2.5 years of Soto back in 2022
MacKenzie Gore #86 in MLB
CJ Abrams #9 in MLB
James Wood
Robert Hassell III #37 in MLB
5 years of Marte is perhaps worth more than 2.5 years of Soto at the time. it should be at least as much.
Reds would have to give up unnerving talent to get Marte, starting with Burns and add a lot more.
Some team in MLB will give up the talent for Marte. My bet is Boston.
Yelp. The D Backs are not going to trade Marte for the Red’s spare parts (Lowder, Arroyo, Petty etc.)
Wasn’t Soto around 24 or 25 during that trade …. Marte is 32 even with the added years I can’t see that amount of return for Marte being met by nearly any team. I would think it would be less but what do I know.
@Ghetto
It would likely be less for Marte than Soto. Soto was obviously young but had only 2.5 years of control left. But it would still be a significant return for Marte, not something headlined by Lodolo or Lowder.
With five years of control left, Snakes do not need to trade Marte unless they get the blow away package they are looking for. I’d be pretty certain if the Reds don’t lead with Burns or Greene, the Snakes will find some other team who leads with talent on that level
Marte has taken a lot of days off in the past that have rubbed the teammates wrong. One time with a week to go during a playoff chase. He is the opposite of Elly who wants to play every game.
AZ generates about the same revenue as Reds , but spend about 100 million more on payroll. Need to target guys who are going to be FA next year and will not accept QO.
No way I trade chase burns for marte…. Now lowder or lodolo im more on board with.
I raised his about 6 weeks ago, but the Yankees may want to jettison Giancarlo Stanton and his contract. He’s impossibly slow and useless defensively, but that’s somewhat true of Kyle Schwarber, too. Stanton is also injured a lot.
The Yankees owe him $34mm over the next 2 years, with the Marlins paying another $20 million. There is a $10 million buyout for him for 2028, in lieu of a $25 million salary, but Cots indicates that the Marlins would have to pay $10 million of that. Plus, the Yankees are apparently willing to eat some of what is owed to him, because they need luxury tax relief and money to resign Bellinger and some pitching.
But he can still bang the ball. He had a 158 OPS+ last season in 278 PAs, and no platoon splits. His EV50 would have led MLB if he had sufficient ABs, and his hard-hit percentage would have been in the top 10.
He has a no-trade clause that he would have to waive, and the Yankees would need to eat some salary.
Not going to happen, but this is the max deal i’d be willing to do:
Rhett Lowder
Matt McLain
Edwin Arroyo
or if we kept McLain and shifted him to CF
Rhett Lowder
Chase Petty
Edwin Arroyo
Not going to happen though.
Personally I’d much rather figure out how to acquire Duran over Marte. He is above average defensively in CF and he alone would make our OF complete, in my opinion.
Duran
Marte
Friedl
Steer
Benson
I see that as pretty potent and problem solved. But I think it would take Hunter Greene and I don’t think the Reds would do that. Greene for Duran/Tolle & some other good Red Sox prospect
Duran would help, but isn’t really the middle of the order banger we’ve all been clamoring for. Worth having, but not for Greene or Burns.
Was thinking along same lines- especially 1st group. If Marte plays 2b Matt McClain is expendable. I don’t buy that his poor performance was all injury related. His poor pitch selection and fact that it was discovered that he cannot hit down and away sliderd and high fastballs contributed to the negative results. I would debate whether the injury keeps him from being able to get to high fastballs. But the inclination to swing at down and away sliders has to be corrected.
Maybe McLain goes to the desert in a Marte trade?
Alonso to The Orioles. They were serious about improving their team.
Must be nice. Le sigh.
Agreed
I’m sure the O’s are very relieved we decided to back off at the last second.
I’m sure Krall offered 5/75. Hey we tried
I don’t like the 5 year contract for Alonso. He doesn’t have the elite bat speed of Schwarber, nor the on base ability, to suggest he will age well.
I was good for 5 years on Schwarber for $150M because of the bat speed and on base ability.
Not for Alonso though. He could be Santander in a couple years.
The O’s are one other team I try not to figure out.
3 years ago they had a treasure trove of top MLB prospects. Aside from Henderson they haven’t really gotten what they should have out of them. Kjerstad and Mayo just haven’t been given the chances they should have. Yet, they are ALWAYS short on pitching.
They hoarded their top prospects, didn’t have places for some to play, didn’t give certain ones enough opportunities, and the whole time remained short on pitching. Why? Cash in a couple chips. Makes no sense to me.
But even right now I’d take Kjerstad and Mayo and give them a shot.
Really like the Kjerstad and Mayo suggestions. I am sure that Tito could play Marte whisperer, but he is already whispering to one Marte. Having young talent all emerge together is so fun
The have to do this in order to compete in that division. Just saying not surprised one bit.
Wow. Alonso got 5 years for $155 million. Actually got more than Schwarber. So much for my thinking that he could be had for slightly less.
Tomorrow: “Welcome back to Cincinnati, Austin Hays!”
“I’m really glad to be here, I love playing in this town!!” – Austin Hays
Subtext: No one else was interested in me at all. What a disappointment!
“I’m just happy to be here, play one game at a time, and the good lord willing it’ll all work out, just hoping to help the team,”
Fill in the blank.
– Austin Hays
– Hunter Renfroe
– Tommy Pham
– Tyler Naquin
– Shogo Akiyama
– Yasiel Puig
I read the Phillies are interested in bringing Austin Hayes back.
Bob Purkey,
In fairness to Nick Krall, you left out Wil Myers and Asdrúbal Cabrera.
Bingo, but only if he signs a prove it deal.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Believe anything this team is allegedly doing when it is officially done.
What’s the saying for “fool me 58 times”?
I think it’s ” I just like being fooled.”
Hope we’re still in on O’Hearn. Looks like he’ll be the ceiling for FAs for the Reds this offseason. With Alonso signing with the O’s, maybe the Reds try to swing a trade for Mayo. He’s blocked by Westberg and now Alonso. I know we have CES and he has a similar profile, but he’s still only 24. Arroyo for Mayo? Both seem blocked at the MLB level.
I have mentioned O’Hearn quite a few times. I think it gives the Reds a lot of flexibility between OF/1B/DH with O’Hearn/Stewart/Steer. He is not a “slugger” by any definition, but he was a guy who looks like a 15-20 homer guy who walks about the same as he strikes out(up until last year). Most project him to be in the $12-$14M range for 2 years.
Given the money Marte is owed, it would limit what the Reds would have to give up. I’d say Lodolo and a top Prospect not named Duno/Stewart/Burns would get their attention. I’d do that trade in a heartbeat. Marte becomes your left fielder……..Lux gets traded to offset some salary. You still talk to Houston about Meyers, which would make Benson expendable.
I think the Reds are going to do something bigger than what we expect. After reaching the playoffs, I’d hope there’s a realization the team can do something special with the pitching we have in this window.
Marte is on a well below market contract. His contract is a big plus, not a deficit.
It sounds as if the Blue Jays are willing to eat a large amount of Anthony Santander’s contract. If he can pass a physical especially on the left shoulder he should definitely be a Reds target.
no. didn’t sign him last year dodged a bullet. I guess his offensive woes were due to his shoulder but he was hitting .199 when he went out. Bad defender and strikes out too much.
I don’t see the Reds acquiring Marte or Duran. I think the best case scenario now is probably Miguel Andujar, but I don’t really see that happening either. Even with f it does the DH spot being manned by Gavin Lux and Andujar is not exactly inspiring.
The Reds won 83 games in 2025, but have since lost Hayes, Andujar, Martinez, Littell, and Barlow. Their offense was terrible even with Andujar and Hayes. I think losing Nick Martinez is going to hurt the bullpen. I don’t know, it seems to me the Reds have lost a few games, maybe more.
Munoz taken by Astros in rule 5 draft. He Bob, another 100k in your wallet.
Doug,
I will ask you as I don’t know and it seems the Padres go all in with a budget close to reds?
Is this more specific on the ownership of the reds and not on the GM, or Krall? Seems to me it’s the same ole song and dance. Cant be all on Krall? Can it?
Not Doug, but I think that the Padres had to tap some additional partners for more money. I could be wrong on that, but I don’t thin the Padres are in great financial shape for some reason. . .
Okay, thanks.. following the reds and watching other teams spend is frustrating.
Padres fill the seats . Reds don’t. Seems like padres had 50 or 60 sellouts last season . I could be mistaken. I would also guess they are top 5 in attendance or better.
Why would Reds fans fill the seats when the ownership refuses to ever make a push to go for it? We’re not competing with the Dodgers $400+ million payroll, even if everything goes right. They are also about to ADD the best pitcher in baseball on top of their back to back world series winning roster. MLB needs a NFL style cap/floor/revenue sharing setup in the worst way or they are going to start hemorrhaging fans from all but about 8 cities.
Padres are among the larger of the small market teams. Forbes pegs their revenue at about $100M above the Reds, with well attended games, so they have more money. Their former owner loaned the team money to bolster their payroll in the season before he passed away. Reportedly, the family wants the loan repaid as part of the transaction when they sell the team (they put the team up for sale). According to an article that the Athletic published today, they are struggling to keep their core players and a competitive supporting cast together.
I am not as upset as others on this site about the Schwarber situation.
It reminds me of the scene in the 2005 King Kong film with Jack Black is trying to coerce Adrien Brody to star in the movie. Adrien Brody then professes his love for theater.. the quote was “If you really loved the theater that much …. you would have jumped”.
I really don’t think Schwarber had much interest in coming here. I really think the pressure here in his hometown would be too much. (just ask griffey Jr.) He used us as leverage. If we offered 150, the Phillies would have bumped him up to 175. No way they were going to be outbid and I am sure ownership realized that.
I do feel a move will be made . at least 2-3 levels higher then Austin Hayes. Since 1900, this will now be the longest stretch between world series titles for this franchise. breaking the previous 1940-1975 stretch. so in a way this is unchartered territory for ownership.
I dunno. I think the present ownership is quite comfortable with mediocrity.
Look at the Brewers last year. They ended up being a REALLY good team, led the league in victories. Out in the second round, playing for the league championship. I mean they beat the Cubs, but the Cubs really were slumping at the end of the year. Then the Dodgers blew them out, 4 – 0 .
They were well managed, played cohesively, had talent….but just not ENOUGH talent, and frankly it would be a reach for the Reds in 2026 just to be close to being a good as the Brewers were in 2025.
1) Trade Andrew Abbott for Jackson Merrill
2) Move Friedl to left
3) Sign Jordan Montgomery (5 million)
Abbott would be an overpay. I think the common narrative that the Reds have a surplus of starting pitching ignores innings limits (Burns), injury probability (every pitcher in baseball but certainly Greene and Lodolo) and the fact that pitching–the team’s only area of strength–is why the Reds were in a position to capitalize on the Mets’ collapse and make a brief appearance in the playoffs. Adding one good hitter will help the Reds, but the fact is that even Schwarber wouldn’t have been able to lead them to the promised land absent significant improvement by a number of players.
Merill is still 22 years old and already has 7.2 career WAR. He also plays CF which would let us move Friedl to LF. He is also signed on a reasonable deal through 2034. I would 100% trade Abbott plus a couple prospects for Jackson Merrill.
Let’s hope this is more than just a rumor. Please pull the trigger and get it done! It would be a great Christmas present for all of us long suffering Reds fans.
If they’re looking at a couple (at least) of 2Bs, might they be seriously considering moving McLain to short and Elly to CF? This is pure speculation, but I agree with others that it suggests some change with McLain’s role.
McLain actually played center field a bit in college.
Or it means they have lost faith in him, and he will start the season at AAA if he stinks it up in spring training.
Or he injured and is going to miss significant time in 2026.
Krall needs to just shut his mouth. They are only in on Marte if Arizona pays his salary.
I feel like the Reds are at least 2 upgrades in the every day lineup from potentially winning the division. Even if they get Marte I think they’d need another Bat in the lineup. Maybe I’m just pessimistic thinking of how bad the Offense was late in the season last year, but it’s hard to get excited just hoping all the young players and veterans will improve this year.
I know they believe in Stephenson bit brining in Realmuto I think would have been a nice change I think behind tbr plate. Some veterans that have been in World Series could make a difference.
Trade for Marte, sign Realmuto, trade Stephenson, I think you’d have a more serious shot at a Division. I will say though Dbacks would have to pay down some of Marte’s salary for me to make that a tolerable deal.
I’m just throwing out random ideas like many, but it’s fun at least!
This is Krall’s last stand to create a real division contending team i think. I think he’s going to ride overall with the core of Elly, McCain, Steer, Marte hoping they’ll all blossom finally together. Can’t blame him in a sense since it’s his creation and he wants to see it come to fruition, but the odds are we are looking at another 78-84 win type of team without a major move or two or three.
Stephenson has had a better OPS+ than Realmuto that last 2 seasons, and Realmuto is now 34 years old. Not sure of the logic to consider Realmuto an upgrade. Seems the opposite considering their age. Maybe just extend Stephenson if that is the goal?
agree, ATH.
I don’t think they should trade TS because I don’t think they could get anyone as good or better. However if they ARE going to trade him then Realmuto would be good enough for a couple of years to get them by until Duno is ready. Having Trevino as your #1 starting catcher would be unacceptable.
Sign Bo Bichette (2B).
Trade for Tyler Soderstrom (LF).
Reds win division.
I agree O’Hearn would be nice. Solid LHB. Lowe would be nice for DH. Less than thirty million for O’Hearn (2 years) eleven million for Lowe. A couple of solid bats some decent health I think we will be better.
REPORTER: Mr. Krall, just how many infielders do you need?
KRALL: All of them.
I think the market for Marte is suppressed somewhat by the whispers around his locker room presence. But at a glance, his contract is cheap for his production and offers a good bit of control still. He’d be an upgrade at any position on the field over last season for the Reds. If it doesn’t involve Greene, Burns, Stewart, or EDLC, I’d kick the tires on what it would take to get him. Some combination of Petty, Lowder, Lodolo, Arroyo or Collier and maybe a lottery ticket or another ML ready player.
And that’s why I doubt it happens, because I think it would basically empty the farm of all the valuable trade chips. Post Schwarber rumors, I don’t think the front office is going all in on any one player, either FA or trade.
Looks like the Rays are in play for Marte. Pepiot and Baz are being discussed. Reds should get involved and make it a 3 team trade offering Singer to the Dbacks. Dbacks get Singer, Pepiot and Baz, Rays get Marte and Reds get Lowe. Salaries for Singer and Lowe wash and both will be FAs after the season. Lowe starts in LF and Lowder into the rotation as the 5th starter. I hope the Reds tinker with McLain at the top of the lineup in ST. I think he’ll turn it around in ‘26. I think Friedl hitting 2nd is best for the lineup. McLain, Friedl, EDLC, Steer, Lowe, Marte, Stewart, Stephenson and Hayes