San Francisco Giants: A Trade with the Reds Makes Sense
It’s only the middle of June, and with the non-waiver trade deadline still well over a month away, it might be a little early to be discussing possible trades. But considering the needs of both teams, the San Francisco Giants and the Cincinnati Reds could be a match made in heaven as trade partners.
There’s been a lot of speculation so far that the Reds, who are slipping and sliding their way backwards in the National League Central, could be big sellers when the deadline rolls around. Some of the most prominent names that the Reds could be shopping very soon are staff ace Johnny Cueto, staff second-in-command Mike Leake, and all-world closer Aroldis Chapman.
The Giants have a need for a serious starting pitcher who can pick up the slack behind their own ace, Madison Bumgarner. With the Reds possibly ready to part ways with some very talented arms, the Giants could be a team to swoop in and nab up one of the pitchers.
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But what would they need to give up to acquire such talented players like Leake and Cueto? The Reds have a need at the moment for a catcher, and the Giants have a very good, young catcher who is sitting behind another very good, young catcher. Andrew Susac could be the perfect trade piece to make the Reds part with their pitching.
Susac is wasting away sitting on the bench as Buster Posey continues to catch just about every day. He has a lot to learn, but he isn’t learning a lot by not playing in five out of six games. A move to another team, where he would get the majority of time behind the plate, could be the best thing for Susac’s young career. It would allow him to grow much faster than he is at his current pace.
The Reds’ need for a catcher comes from an injury to their own superstar-in-the-making backstop, Devin Mesoraco. Mesoraco has caught just five games this season, as he is dealing with a hip impingement that makes the pain of squatting behind the plate for nine innings unbearable. If you’re unfamiliar with the injury, this piece from Redleg Nation, written by Steve Mancuso, gives a great, detailed look into what causes the injury, and what it means for Mesoraco.
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Mesoraco will most likely need surgery to repair the injury, and it would end his season if he were to undergo the procedure. It’s possible that, even after surgery, Mesoraco may not be able to be an everyday catcher again. The team has already discussed putting Mesoraco in the outfield, where his hip wouldn’t be nearly as big of a problem.
Acquiring Susac would allow the Reds to permanently move Mesoraco, putting his bat into the lineup more often. Susac could then take over as the team’s everyday catcher, and grow more rapidly while also playing in a great hitter’s park. Both his offense and defense would be allowed to progress much more quickly than if he were to remain behind Posey.
Susac, who could also be packaged with another prospect (Kyle Crick, possibly), would bring in a hefty prize. Cueto or Leake would automatically slot into the Giants’ rotation, giving the team a very reliable option behind Bumgarner. If the Giants were to go after Chapman, he could become the team’s closer, giving them the power arm in the ninth inning that they’ve lacked for a few years. Santiago Casilla has done a great job as the Giants’ closer, but Chapman’s track record is impossible to overlook.
At some point down the road, if the Giants really do decide to move Posey from the squat, there are a few more young catcher options who could eventually take his job. Aramis Garcia, Tyler Ross, and Trevor Brown could all take the role, if the need were to arise.
It may not seem like an ideal situation, but Susac could be the Giants’ number-one trade bait option. The Reds need a catcher, and the Giants need pitching. Both teams have some of each to spare for the other. Getting that big arm could be exactly what San Francisco needs down the stretch.