Few players identify with their teams as much as Scooter Gennett identifies as a Cincinnati Red. Homegrown in Cincinnati, Gennett had a career year in 2018 and his value to the team has never been higher, which is why, with the Reds needing pitching this off season they may look to the 29-year-old as a trade chip in order to bring in much needed talent.
Gennett has been linked with several rumors, including the with the Indians, Mariners and Yankees and, in particular, with the Yankees desire to move Sonny Gray.
Gennett’s bat and his defense up the middle of the field at second base has been stellar for the Reds. Gennett batted .310/.357.490 with .847 OPS in 2018 and he provided solid defense with a .983 fielding percentage.
Chris Dismukes of blogredmachine.com believes the Reds need to take some chances to acquire the starting pitching they need to rebuild around their young talent, such as Nick Senzel, who is perhaps a star in the making waiting behind Scooter Gennett for an opportunity.
Gennett is projected to make $10 million plus next season as he enters the final year of arbitration, and if the Reds aren’t going to discuss an extension that’s beneficial for both sides, Cincinnati does not need to make a deal with Gennett. They may be ready to move him instead to fill the dire need the Reds have for starting pitching.
Enter Sonny Gray, being more or less given the bum’s rush out of town by Brian Cashman, but perhaps being sought by the Reds, whose new pitching coach was Gray’s pitching coach at Vanderbilt.
A trade between the Reds who need pitching, and the Yankees who need help up the middle with their infield defense, particularly with the injury to Didi Gregorius, might make sense.
With the Yankees hoping to add Manny Machado to the roster, it would make sense to play him at third base, Gleyber Torres at shortstop, his natural position, and Gennett at second base. Miguel Andujar could then be traded for an elite starting pitcher, such as Corey Kluber.
Gennett makes sense for the Yankees whether they acquire Machado or not—-an infield of Luke Voit and Greg Bird at first base, Gennett at second base, Torres at shortstop and Andujar at third base would still be a winning combination for the Yankees, especially with the experience Torres and Andujar have gained over a full season in Major League Baseball.
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