All-Star Game could be prelude to new era in Cincinnati
By Tim Haberin
Each year the All-Star Game is an opportunity for the host city to put on a nearly week-long show for rest of the baseball world. From the Futures Game to the Home Run Derby to the Midsummer Classic itself, the game’s past, present and future are all put on full display. This year the spotlight is on Cincinnati, where all eyes will be on the Reds‘ celebration of their own legacy as well as baseball’s stars of today and yesterday.
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But when the game ends on Tuesday night and the lights go out at Great American Ball Park, it could mark the start of an eventful few weeks for the Reds franchise. Cincinnati owns a 39-47 record at the break, a considerable 15.5 games behind NL Central-leading St. Louis. The Reds have long been identified as a likely trade deadline seller, and with just under three weeks to go until July 31, the market is poised to start moving.
Hometown hero Todd Frazier will start at third base for the National League, and it’s time for Cincinnati to start thinking about how to rebuild the team around him for the future. Many of the Reds’ most appealing assets will presumably be made available for interested clubs.
Staff ace Johnny Cueto just missed making the All-Star roster as a Final Vote candidate, though he would not have been able to pitch in the game anyway since he started on Sunday. Cueto’s name remains very prevalent in trade rumors and discussions. With his contract set to run out at the end of the season, a contender will likely try to deal for him as a major second-half rotation boost.
Perhaps in a more perfect world Cueto would have appeared in the ASG as a more formal farewell to his home crowd, but instead he will probably have to settle for just a few more starts in a Reds uniform. Despite some rumblings to the contrary, it’s difficult to see him not being moved at the deadline.
Cincinnati Reds
ESPN’s Buster Olney reports that the Reds have been shopping slugger Jay Bruce for some time. Though reputed as an all-or-nothing power hitter, the outfielder is putting together a solid, more well-rounded season. He is currently batting .251, up from .217 last year, along with 13 homers and 42 RBI. Since June 16 he is slashing .352/.396/.648 with four home runs and 13 RBI, making this a particularly good time for Cincinnati to sell high on its eight-year veteran. Bruce is due to collect $12.5 million next year with a $1 million buyout for 2017, so the Reds will have to eat some of that contract.
Closer Aroldis Chapman, who will also be representing Cincinnati as an All-Star, could have a new home by August as well. Chapman is turning in another typically dominant season, racking up 18 saves to the tune of a 1.69 ERA and 15.7 K/9 rate. Some might wonder why the Reds would seek to part with such a gem, but they might as well see what kind of haul they can receive for him while his value is likely at its apex. They probably wouldn’t be able to retain him in free agency in a couple years anyway when they hope to be more competitive again.
Veterans Brandon Phillips and Marlon Byrd are other potential trade chips who could be shipped elsewhere. With so many variables and possibilities, the Cincinnati Reds look like one of the most compelling teams to monitor as the 2015 trade season kicks into high gear. The next several days will bring a much-needed pause to a marathon of a season, but when the second half gets underway, this year’s All-Star Game hosts could soon look quite different.