Anthony DeSclafani has shown he can be a big league starting pitcher with the Cincinnati Reds.
The 26-year-old right-hander has a 3.75 ERA in 221 innings since joining the Reds last year. That kind of successful track record will draw the attention of contending teams in need of starting pitching.
The trade value for DeSclafani is furthered by his controllable status. He won’t be arbitration eligible until 2018. Any team trading for DeSclafani could keep him in rotation for the next four years after this season.
The Reds could also decide to keep DeSclafani but could opt to deal one of their current starting pitchers to make room for a potential 2017 rotation of Homer Bailey, Raisel Iglesias, Robert Stephenson, Cody Reed and Amir Garrett.
The Texas Rangers are one team that would make an ideal trade partner for the Reds. DeSclafani would certainly help the Rangers fill a significant rotation need. The Rangers aren’t alone.
DeSclafani could command two Top 15 prospects from a trading team. Combined with slugger Jay Bruce, the pair might produce a haul to good for the Reds to refuse.
Before last year’s non-waiver trade deadline, the Milwaukee Brewers were able to trade Mike Fiers and Carlos Gomez for four Houston Astros‘ prospects.
While with the Brewers, Fiers had similar number (3.66 ERA in 341.2 innings) to DeSclafani. He also has yet to reach salary arbitration, like DeSclafani. Gomez was a salary dump like Bruce would be. Gomez is making $9 million in the final year of his contract this year. Bruce has an option for $13 million for next year.
There are at least six teams who could consider trading for both DeSclafani and Bruce. The Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals could all make a run for both to upgrade their respective rotations and power on offense.
The Reds don’t need to trade DeSclafani but may field an offer they just can’t refuse.
Robb Hoff writes about the Cincinnati Reds for OutsidePitch MLB. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
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