Cleveland Indians: 6 trades targeted by The Athletic’s Jim Bowden

4. Cleveland Indians trade target: Aristides Aquino

Of all of Bowden’s suggestions, Aquino has the highest ceiling and the Cleveland Indians do have a history of making trades with their in-statemate, the Cincinnati Reds.

Aquino burst onto the scene late in 2019 when he made history for cracking 10 homers in his first 16 games, which made him the first player to ever accomplish such a fete.

The Reds signed Nick Castellanos for 2020, and combined with the pandemic shortened season of 2020, Aquino saw limited opportunities last season. He’s been hurt this year (fractured hamate bone) but has begun his rehab assignment. He had three homers in 23 plate appearances prior to the injury.

Aquino will player center field for the Reds when he comes back, a position he hasn’t played a lot. But with Castellanos and Jesse Winker battling each other for the batting title at the corner spots, there’s no where else to go but center.

The Reds look like they’re going to make a run at a playoff spot, so if they do trade Aquino, I would think it would be closer to the deadline. Nick Senzel was one of the team’s top prospects and is big-league ready, but he’s injured and out until August.

Tyler Naquin has been a steal for the Reds (and we’ve love to have him back), but he’s probably not an every day player.