Pirates/Reds send players up and down the Ohio

[Pirates GM (Rod)]

In what some longtime observers of these two storied rivals are calling a stunning move, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds have completed the following trade.

The Pirates trade:
Oneil Cruz, MI, Pirates
Ryan Vilade, CI, Rockies
Carmen Mlodzinski, P, Pirates
Juan Jerez, MI, Pirates
Shervyen Newton, MI, Mets

The Reds trade:
Jose Garcia, MI, Reds
Tyler Stephenson, C, Reds
Seth Johnson, P, Rays
Matt Canterino, P, Twins
Josh Wolf, P, Indians

I didn't think that I'd get a tempting enough offer to actually deal Cruz, but the ability to pick up a second potential starting catcher and to deepen my pitching pool made me pull the trigger.
Good back and forth negotiating with Adam and, as much as I hate to say it, good luck to the Reds.

[Reds GM (Adam)]

This might make me a little vulnerable in a few spots after 3 years but Cruz and Vilade are going to be contributors either this year or next year. Cruz is going to smack home run after home run and with a little change to his approach it’s going to be worth every penny I spent to get him.

Moving Stephenson and Garcia is always going to be tough...especially with all the pitching specs that I gave up but, I’m still sitting pretty with Gray, Castillo, Greene, and Turnbull locked down for the next few years. On top of that it helps narrow my focus during free agency, drafts, and trades to a few positions with Canaan Smith and O’Neil Cruz most likely locking down my OF, my starting pitching depth, and Corey Seager being extended (or tagged).

I’m hopeful Newton fixes his hitch prior to swinging and Jerez can continue his solid approach despite the year off. Mlodzinski gives me a pitcher with some solid upside to offset the pitchers moving out so we will see what I have with these three in time.

Good luck to the Pirates and here’s to many years of the Pirates OF helping the Reds with the whole thing!

Reds confirm

[Reds GM (Adam)]

O’Neil Cruz and Ryan Vilade would be the choices to replace Garcia and Stephenson on the 40 man active roster.