strikes me as nice #7 hitter with the pop, and I like that he's got a good enough glove, too. I really have not read up enough on what folks thought might have led to the excellent last couple of months. His uptick coincided with Schwarber's arrival, FWIW (on the IL). He was pretty good in 2020, too, so maybe the question is can you explain his first half? He's not a break the bank guy to deal for, but if mid-season (or earlier) they decide Casas has to play, then maybe you take advantage, especially if you decide to also deal Bell at the deadline. Dalbec's just an example, but there's probably more attractive guys out there.
what makes him or Moustakas attractive is that, by picking one up, Cinci doesn't have to move a starting pitcher to clear salary. I just don't know if the tell-tales mentioned in the article regarding his decline are enough to scare me away.
Imref posted a link to this from MLBTR:
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/12/teams-that-want-to-dump-salary-should-contact-the-nationals.html
Mentions Moustakas, Kiermaier, Kimbrel, JUpton, Myers, David Price, etc... More or less, guys with 1-2 year commitments that could bring back prospects that would help by 2024. Argues that showing willingness to continue to spend to expedite the rebuild might help convince Soto that this is a place he can stay and avoid the Mike Trout fate.
With so many tires to kick on this kind of move, you'd figure there's something to buy.
I don't put a lot of faith in 2020 stats. But he struck out over 40% of the time. I think March through July is a lot more indicative of Dalbec than a hot August. Especially since he's been a poor contact hitter his whole career. Dalbec is the kind of guy you can sit on the bench or platoon if you come up with a better option at first. He's a fine utility guy/LHP pinch hitter.
The big problem with Cincy moving Moustakas is that they don't really get anything out of it. They still need some pretty significant improvements and Moustakas isn't really that expensive. Especially when you consider that they have to replace Castellanos as well. The only reason to move Moustakas would be to make a multiple splashes in free agency with that money before Castillo hits free agency. And so far, the Reds seem more inclined to sell and rebuild for a window that has Winker as the big bat.
If we're going to take on salary for prospects, the only real game in town is the Padres and Eric Hosmer. We have exactly what they need next season in Josh Bell. That would allow the Padres to put Cronenworth at second base, put Tatis at short, and go get another bat for a corner OF spot. Alternatively, they could push Tatis to a corner, play Cronenworth at short, and see if Kim can hit MLB pitching while playing elite defense at second. Either way, the Padres add power to a line up that really needs it. The big question is what would they be willing to give up. At the deadline, they wanted Gallo for Hassel and Hosmer, with the Padres eating some of Hosmer's contract. They have to deal Hosmer this season, or his 10/5 rights kick in, and it seems pretty obvious that Hosmer won't approve a trade. So it's good we're in the ZDK thread, because I'd be willing to give up Bell and either Eric Fedde or Kyle Finnegan, in exchange for Hosmer (and all of his contract), Campusano, Morejon, Woods, and one more prospect (Angeles, Rosario, or Haynes). I'd then look to move Campusano to either the Red Sox or the Marlins, both of whom are going to be looking for catching help. Alternatively, I'd consider another package around either Gore or Hassel, as long as the Padres included Nola (again, with the intention of flipping him).
But I don't see the Lerners allowing big spending. There is no combination of players you can sign that get us to .500, let alone make us a playoff team. Trading for a declining big contract certainly doesn't get you to .500. The Lerners are going to tell Rizzo to slash payroll in expectation of ticket sales plummeting even more. Rizzo isn't going to go out on a limb to get a big name/contract when he isn't sure that what he has can be a contender. The Lerners are going to be happy to sit with payroll at ~100 million. Rizzo isn't going to go out on a limb and demand spending when he still has so many question marks in Strasburg, Corbin, Gray, Kieboom, Robles, and Ruiz.
