Cincinnati Reds Rumors - What to expect from the MLB Winter Meetings
The Cincinnati Reds are headed to the MLB Winter Meetings with a plan to solve problems, not find them.
For the first time in the past couple of years the Cincinnati Reds are looking to use the Winter Meetings to put together a competitive team for next season. Last year the Reds used the Winter Meetings to finish up the fire sale of about-to-be expensive talent. They traded Todd Frazier and Aroldis Chapman based on the meetings.
This year the Reds have a different beat to keep. They need to see if they can fill some holes, but more importantly check items off of the list. This should be a very task oriented week for the Reds.
One of the biggest issues for the Reds this off-season is finding a partner for Tucker Barnhart behind the plate. They have acquired Juan Graterol from the Los Angeles Angels, but he is a rookie. They won’t sign anyone at the Winter Meetings because they will wait until the prices come down even more.
The Reds are looking at veteran catchers who could start if Barnhart and Mesoraco are both injured for the same stretch. Kurt Suzuki leads the list, but the Reds will wait to see how low his price will go. Ryan Hanigan and Chris Iannetta are possibilities if Suzuki signs elsewhere.
The most important task for the Cincinnati Reds at the Winter Meetings is getting values established for Zack Cozart and Brandon Phillips.
The Reds don’t actually need to move either of them at the meetings. In fact they probably won’t be able to make any real offers involving the duo. The Reds do need to find out how much teams value the pair.
Phillips has expressed interest in hearing about moving to SoCal. That means the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels are in the mix. The Dodgers have a ton of moving pieces and the Angels also have other options, so it could be awhile.
Cozart, on the other hand, is the starting shortstop for the Reds. The Reds will likely move him in season once they are sure that Jose Peraza and/or Dilson Herrera is the real deal. The Reds will use the meetings to gauge interest in Cozart, so they know where to go at mid-season.
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The Red have a history of making moves right after the winter meetings. This year is the same as always. They’re looking to sell high and buy low to put together a competitive team.
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