Former Red, Aroldis Chapman has been the center of trade rumors recently. But these three former Reds provide more realistic trade options for them.
Former Reds closer Aroldis Chapman has been at the center of a ton of trade rumors regarding a potential reunion with the Cincinnati Reds. This rumor has caused quite the divide between Reds fans.
Many Reds fans are adamant that Nick Krall needs to make a move for Chapman. He is a flame throwing lefty that fills a major hole in a depleted bullpen. Chapman has also shown interest in a reunion to Cincinnati.
On the other hand, Chapman will likely be the most sought-after reliever on the market this year. Trading for him may not be as easy as some may think. Pair that with the fact that Chapman left a sour taste in many Cincinnati fans mouths after a rough departure.
But Chapman isn't the only former Red on the trade block. There are a few familiar faces that could see a reunion with the Reds, resulting in a much-improved Cincinnati team.
Mets LHP Brooks Raley could be the southpaw reliever the Reds chase instead of Aroldis Chapman
Brooks Raley might not be a name familiar to very many Reds fans. The lefty spent less than half a year in Cincinnati during the shortened Covid season in 2020. In that year, the southpaw reliever tallied just four innings in a Reds uniform, where he allowed four runs before being dealt to the Astros.
Since those four innings with the Reds, Raley has been much improved. He's recorded ten saves over the last three seasons split between three different MLB teams. His combined ERA is also south of 4.00 in those three seasons.
Raley now resides in New York with the struggling Mets. The Mets are struggling so bad that they may enter selling mode, resulting in them emptying out some of their older veterans, including the 35-year-old Brooks Raley.
Raley fills one of the biggest holes in the 2023 Reds roster: left-handed relief pitcher. Raley would provide the Reds with the southpaw that the Reds so desperately need out of their bullpen. This need has been the main spark to most of the Aroldis Chapman rumors, but the Reds could opt with Raley instead. Raley would likely be much cheaper and cause less of a divide in the fanbase and clubhouse.
Tigers RHP Michael Lorenzen could find a place in the Reds starting rotation
For seven seasons, Michael Lorenzen provided the Reds with a quality right-handed arm out of their bullpen. But, as his career continued, Lorenzen had bigger aspirations for himself than a middle reliever. He wanted to be a starter. And the Reds didn't have room for him in their rotation, as their 2022 rotation was going to consist of Sonny Gray, Luis Castillo, Tyler Mahle and two of their top prospects Nick Lodolo and Hunter Greene.
So Lorenzen opted for free agency and landed in Los Angeles where he could start games for the Angels. Since then, he's moved to Detroit as a member of the Tigers. Lorenzen has shown tremendous ability to keep his team in games as a starter. The Reds also have one of the biggest issues at starting pitcher in the entire MLB.
Pair that with how likely the Tigers will be to sell and this could be a reunion made in heaven. Lorenzen would provide the Reds with a quality backend of the rotation starter that wouldn't damage the energy in the clubhouse. Nick Krall should be on the phone with the Tigers about a potential trade for Lorenzen, pairing with an eventual contract extension with the former Red.
Twins RHP Jose De Leon could make a return to Cincinnati, but it's not the most likely option
The Reds bullpen has been continuously depleted down the stretch of June. They faced many injuries in their starting rotation, resulting in their starters being a bit worse and not being able to go as deep into games as they expected. In turn, this has increased the load on the bullpen tremendously. When this has happened, the Reds have opted to call up players from Triple-A to fill in while they await their starters returning.
The bad news is these call-ups have often been less than adequate replacements for such a talented team. The Reds likely need to make a move for a reliever or two and Jose De Leon would make sense for the Reds.
The issue here is that this trade may not make much sense for the Twins. De Leon has been good for the Twins this year, providing them with a consistent reliever for the middle innings of a game. He's thrown 17 innings and allowed less hits than innings pitched, showing flashes of potential with his sub-5 ERA.
De Leon wouldn't provide the Reds with the sole difference maker to a World Series team, but he is much better than their Triple-A options. The former Red wouldn't provide any issues with the clubhouse and if the Twins are willing to move him, Cincinnati would be a good destination to do so.
