Although the Cincinnati Reds were only able to compile 67 wins as they finished in last place within the NL Central division, they are going to attempt to be buyers on the market this offseason. However, if the team is unable to acquire top talent, they may look to move soon-to-be free agents.
Scooter Gennett earned his first trip to the MLB All-Star game during the 2018 season. Through 154 games, he put together an impressive 23 HRs, 30 2Bs, and 92 RBI. As he is only under team control for one more season, Gennett may become available in trade talks during the current offseason if the Cincinnati Reds are unable to make significant upgrades to their roster ahead of the 2019 season.
Reds President of Baseball Operations Dick Williams recently indicated that the team is going to be aggressive in its pursuit of pitching on both the free agent market and the trade market. However, free agent pitchers may not be interested in signing a contract to pitch in a hitting-friendly ballpark such as the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. Furthermore, as Williams indicated top prospects are unlikely to be moved this offseason, the plan of acquiring starting pitching through trades could also potentially not come to fruition.
As the Dodgers received the aforementioned lack of production at second base last season, Gennett could form an even more impressive middle of the infield duo with Seager than Merrifield. Through 584 at bats, he put together a slash line of .310/.357/.490. Baez was the only second baseman with a higher OPS than Gennett last season throughout the entire MLB.
Although a trade for Gennett would not be the most cost efficient move for the Dodgers (as he will hit the open market following the 2019 season), it would nonetheless greatly improve the chances of the organization winning the NL West division for the seventh straight season.