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MLB Rumors: 3 realistic Javier Baez trades the Cubs should consider accepting

By Brad Berreman

Jul 25, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs second baseman Javier Baez (9) throws out Chicago White Sox center fielder J.B. Shuck (20) for the final out during of the fourth inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 25, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs second baseman Javier Baez (9) throws out Chicago White Sox center fielder J.B. Shuck (20) for the final out during of the fourth inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Credit: Ralph Freso/Getty Images
Credit: Ralph Freso/Getty Images /

Cincinnati Reds. 2. player. NL. Central. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 61

The Reds are set to lose Freddy Galvis in free agency, and a move for an upgrade at shortstop is on the docket. They are lingering as a possible landing spot for Francisco Lindor, with a dip into free agency (Didi Gregorious, Marcus Semien) as a parallel until they land someone.

Having played against him plenty with the Cubs, the Reds are certainly familiar with Baez. In 86 career games (327 plate appearances) against the Reds, Baez has a .268/.298/.479 slash-line with 15 home runs and 54 RBI. In 47 games (184 plate appearances) at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, he has a .266/.293/.475 slash-line with seven home runs, 14 doubles and 32 RBI. If those numbers don’t come off as impressive in a hitter-friendly road park, you’re not alone in that thought.

As a small market the team coming off the loss of revenue in 2020, the Reds will have a hard time making back-to-back active (aka expensive) offseasons work. But one or two notable moves to make a move further up a wide-open NL Central could be palatable. A trade for Baez would have the double benefit of filling a need and weakening a division rival in the short-term.

Alas, the Cubs may be hesitant to trade Baez to a division rival. But the Reds can certainly talk themselves into dealing from some depth down their minor league system to sweeten the pot a bit.

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