Winners and losers of the 2015 MLB Winter Meetings

Loser – Cincinnati Reds

It’s not too often that you can label a team in dire need of a tear-down and rebuild as a loser at the Winter Meetings, especially when said ball club has pieces to deal. However, we’ll make a rare exception for the Cincinnati Reds.

Cincinnati came to Nashville with attractive pieces to move in Aroldis Chapman, Jay Bruce, and Todd Frazier. In fact, the Reds were adamant that they would find a new home for Chapman before the end of the Winter Meetings.

That trade nearly came to fruition, as Monday morning word broke of a potential deal struck that would send Chapman to the Dodgers for a pair of prospects. Many were curious as to how the Reds only secured two prospects in the deal, but held out judgment until the prospects were named.

Unfortunately, that never happened. As the trade lingered late into the day, it became less and less likely that a deal would be consummated, with word even being tossed around of a third team involved. However, it came to light that the deal had been put on hold as news of an October arrest for domestic violence against his girlfriend came to light. All parties involved, from the Reds to the Dodgers to Major League Baseball, seemed to be surprised by the news and worries about a possible suspension curbed talks.

With those same concerns still present, the Reds may be forced to hang on to Chapman until everything is resolved. That means new efforts to deal Frazier and Bruce become the priority, and Cincinnati may have less leverage in their demands for return. Overall, the Reds got dealt a bum hand in the game and now have to find a way to dig their way out.