Honestly, I think De La Cruz is the better long term option at SS. If that means moving McClain so be it. both are in AA right now. De La Cruz just made the jump so it will be interesting to see if they move McClain up or what. All I know is something will have to give between those two at some point.
The latest trade rumors show the Yankees may be softening on their stance about holding onto Oswaldo Peraza in a deal for Castillo. Another SS to add into the log jam. People want their #1 prospect SS Anthony Volpe but he won't be traded unless it is in the Juan Soto deal. Hate to see the Reds settle with New York while they pursue Soto knowing that will clean house of their top prospects.
McClain has struggled at AA, does have double figures in HRs/SBs but only hitting like .235. Still need to move him to AAA to see what he can do. Month in AAA to see if they should bring him up in Sept.
I agree about moving him up to see if it will light a fire under his ass and get it going. Unfortunately as you pointed out with our top hitting prospects, he's not the only one struggling between Daytona, Dayton & Chattanooga.
Fair point about RH 1B in the league. On that note, I'm going to throw out some hypothetical scenarios in which the focus is on getting more ABs for the top prospects in the future.
Could McClain and/or Barrero be a bargaining chip for something in the off season?
That would be hard to imagine with the poor season both are having.
McLain's strikeout rate is a little high but I'd hardly say he's having a poor season. His wRC+ is above average at 118 and his wOBA is also good at .367. Almost half of his hits have been for extra bases. Now he's dealing with some injuries which might set him back, but there would be tons of teams interested in McClain if the Reds (they won't) were to put him on the market.
Was hoping McClain would go to AAA in August ahead of a Sept Reds call up. Lower .230s BA doesn't offer confidence, Reds have too many .220-.240 "hitters" as is.
De La Cruz seems to be the only minor leaguer moving in the right direction. Will the Reds call him up post trade deadline?
Don't think so, I would say he stays in Chattanooga the rest of the year. He's four years younger than the league average there so this should be a good challenge for him. If he excels in Chattanooga to close this season then I would think he'll make his debut in Cincinnati at some point next season.
Agreed. It would be selling low right now. A lot like the times when the Reds were hoping to use Senzel as an attractive piece in a trade package. That ship as sailed a long time ago with him. McLain is having a similar season to other top SS prospects like Volpe/Peraza and hold out hope he snaps out of it soon. Barrero, the time is now and really no excuse for the Reds in rebuild mode to keep him in AAA. It proves nothing. Like I've said multiple times and Welsh has alluded, I believe complacency has set in with Jose.
Normally I would agree with you but the fact he participated in Reds spring training this year indicated to me they could be at least thinking about fast tracking him. Brief Sept call up then break camp next spring wouldn't surprise me. Question becomes where do they play him if Reds obtain top NYY SS prospect in Castillo trade?
And so it begins.
Definitely! Got a steal Got him for a low level minor leagues with Jose Acuna & Hector Rodriguez. A LH versatile outfielder with some pop. On a contender he could be the missing piece in a role as a starter or off the bench with lineup protection around him made him a coveted piece. Wish that lineup was still the Reds like last season. Left us on a good note with that home run yesterday.
Not sure about Acuna, but seems to be a good pickup. He's only 19 so still a couple of years away, but he has a 2.67 ERA in single A ball so that's nothing to sneeze at. Rodriguez has a .321 batting avg. as a professional in the Florida Complex league. That's with 234 career AB's so a pretty good sample size to know it's not a fluke. He's only 18 as well so a few years away too, but possibly a good bat that we hope can be close to a .300 hitter down the road. Hate to see Naquin go, but in reality, on a contender, he's a role player. not an everyday kind of player if you're chasing pennants. I'm sure that's how the Mets will use him, for quality bench depth.
As of right now, they did not even give up a Top 50 prospect in the Mets pipeline so my expectations are tempered until they get out of the low levels of the minors & rookie ball.
Reds roster come Mon will look like Louisville's. Castillo/Mahle are a given. But I look for Solano, Drury, Pham, Farmer to go. Just hope they get more than they got for Naquin.
Hoping they get more too and don't settle on the returns with the contributors that Reds have who will help many teams in the playoff mix. Low A Ball/FCL is awfully early to get excited about and now have the Reds inept organization at developing prospects, in particular the position players.
FWIW, mlb.com saying Castillo to Yankees, Blue Jays, Dodgers. Drury to Braves, Dodgers, White Sox. Last I saw on Mahle was likely to Twins. I just hope they get something of value in return.
You would think in most cases, but Kyle Farmer more or less said on Jim Day's podcast that he didn't want to get dealt because he likely wouldn't play every day for another team.
