With Kyle Tucker now in Chicago, attention has shifted to the Cincinnati Reds and their pursuit of Luis Robert Jr. The Chicago Cubs recently acquired Tucker from the Houston Astros, making Robert the top outfielder left on the trade market this offseason.
The Reds are in dire need of bolstering their lineup, especially with the Cubs actively pursuing Miami Marlins starter Jesús Luzardo. So far, Chicago has been dominating the offseason among NL Central teams, but if Cincinnati manages to land Robert from the White Sox, they could instantly position themselves as the frontrunner to win the division in 2025.
Reds fans will be stunned by favorable Luis Robert Jr. trade proposal from former GM
Typically, Reds fans roll their eyes at the outlandish commentary from former general manager Jim Bowden. Bowden, who led the Reds from 1992 to 2003, now writes for The Athletic. Recently, he suggested that Cincinnati should pursue Luis Robert in a trade, and his proposed deal (subscription required) wasn’t half bad. Bowden believes the Reds could land Robert by offering Tyson Lewis and one of Cam Collier or Sal Stewart.
That’s not an unreasonable trade and is certainly something Cincinnati could afford. Looking at the Reds’ current roster and the future of their young prospects, the team has limited infield spots available. Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz appear to be locked in for the next five seasons, and there’s hope that Christian Encarnacion-Strand or Noelvi Marte will secure a regular spot next year. Additionally, the Reds have Edwin Arroyo, Sammy Stafura, and Carlos Jorge waiting in the wings.
Tyson Lewis, just 18 years old, is at least three years away from the majors. Collier and Stewart are on similar timelines, meaning the Reds would need to be comfortable parting with one of their third base prospects. Collier offers more power, while Stewart has a more disciplined approach at the plate.
Reds fans who want to see Nick Krall and the front office make a push for Robert should view Bowden’s proposal positively. Trading for Robert comes with its risks, but Cincinnati can’t afford to sit idle while other teams in the division make moves.
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