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Reds Wouldn’t Budge In Todd Frazier Trade Talks With Cleveland Indians

By Nick Dudukovich

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Jul 10, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds third baseman Todd Frazier waits to go on deck during a game against the Chicago Cubs in the second inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Indians appeared to be contenders in a potential Todd Frazier trade, but the Cincinnati Reds moved their third baseman to the Chicago White Sox and were unwilling to budge from their initial asking price with the Tribe, according to a report.

What would it have taken for the Cleveland Indians to land Todd Frazier?

According to Cleveland.com’s Zack Meisel, the Tribe would’ve needed to part with Danny Salazar “and/or multiple top prospects.”

Obviously, the asking price was too high, because Frazier now plays for the rival White Sox, and the Indians moved on by signing free-agent first baseman Mike Napoli.

Meisel’s Tweet validates what was written on the Factory of Sadness when the Frazier rumor broke during last week’s winter meetings.

According to Fox Sports Ohio Tribe analyst Jensen Lewis, the Reds were seeking a starting pitcher and two outfield prospects. Lewis caught word of this rumor from a source, and he took it to mean the Reds wanted Salazar or Carlos Carrasco, in addition to Bradley Zimmer AND Clint Frazier.

Most Tribe fans favored bringing in the Toddfather, but at that price? It’d be a lot to give up for two years of Frazier.

Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes confirmed Clint Frazier or Bradley Zimmer were to be included in any deal, per the the Reds’ demands. Hoynes also shed some new light on the trade talks, stating the Reds initially asked for Salazar or Cody Allen, and the Tribe said “No.” Justus Sheffield, Michael Clevinger and Juan Hill were other prospects mentioned.

The Indians also tried to get in a three-way deal with the Reds, but Cincy wasn’t interested. Rather than try to work out something different with the Tribe, the Reds swung a three-way deal that ultimately landed Frazier on the south side.

The Dodgers were the other team involved in the deal, and many consider their haul in trade may be the best. Here’s how it broke down:

White Sox: Acquire Frazier; trade away RHP Frankie Montas, 2B Micah Johnson, OF Trayce Thompson.

Dodgers: Acquire Montas, Johnson and Thompson; trade away 2B Jose Peraza, OF Scott Schebler, IF/OF Brandon Dixon.

Reds: Acquire Peraza, Schebler, Dixon; trade away Frazier.

ESPN’s David Schoenfield wrote the following about the deal…

“…I don’t think the White Sox gave up any big upside talent here, unless Montas puts it together and develops as a starter.

…That said, I like the Dodgers’ return better than what the Reds got. Peraza is the primary prospect the Reds acquired.”

More from Factory of Sadness

Peraza was the centerpiece for the Reds. He was the 54th ranked prospect in all of base all entering the 2015 campaign, according to Baseball America. He doesn’t have power, but could be a .300 hitter. If he doesn’t become an everyday player, who can hit for average and get on base, this deal will be viewed as a bust in Cincinnati.

Schebler, 25, really struggled to hit at  Triple-A in 2015. He batted .241 with 94 strikeouts in 485 plate appearances. He does have power, as he hit 28 jacks at Class AA in 2014, but multiple pundits project him as a backup outfielder.

Dixon, 24, got a taste of the Class AA level in 2015, and it left something foul in his mouth. He struck out 144 times! He wasn’t even one of the Dodgers’ top prospects.

After reading this, you’re probably thinking the Reds are crazy for not figuring out how to get something done with the Tribe.

Next: Tribe Prospects In High Demand

The Reds wanted position players, and if they couldn’t get two of the Tribe’s best, they weren’t going to do business with Cleveland.

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