Braves: Who Says No — Cincinnati Reds Trade Package

We’ve already explored a trade package for slugger Brandon Drury, but what about some other pieces the Reds may have to offer?

Tyler Mahle is having one of his most efficient starts of the year. He only has four strikeouts, but he has only allowed two hits.

He's at 79 pitches through six. Reiver Sanmartin was just warming up in the bullpen.

— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) July 24, 2022

If you missed any previous editions, including a different hypothetical with the Reds, check them out below:

• Braves: Who Says No — Andrew Benintendi Trade Package
• Braves: Who Says No — Brandon Drury Trade Package
• Braves: Who Says No — Ian Happ Trade Package
• Braves: Who Says No — Josh Rojas Trade Package
• Braves: Who Says No — Colorado Rockies Trade Package
• Braves: Who Says No — Cavan Biggio Trade Package
• Braves: Who Says No — Pittsburgh Pirates Trade Package
• Braves: Who Says No — Frankie Montas Trade Package

The Players

RHP Tyler Mahle

Innings Pitched: 98.1

ERA: 4.48

WHIP: 1.271

FIP: 3.78

K/9: 9.8

WAR: 2.0

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OF Tyler Naquin

Slash Line: .245/.305/.429

Doubles: 12

Home Runs: 6

Runs Batted In: 31

WAR: 0.2

Mahle isn’t the sexiest name on the market, but he’s going to attract some suitors with the Reds likely selling. He’s a pretty consistent innings eater, and he has been hot of late. He would be an upgrade over Ian Anderson at this point, but Mahle is not likely going to be the missing piece to a championship team. He’s a lower cost guy that can still help a team win games. However, if he does perform well, he has one more season of team control.

Naquin is a lefty bat, and the Braves could use a left fielder with Adam Duvall out for the season. The issue is that Naquin is absolutely abysmal against lefties, the same issue that Marcell Ozuna has had this season. Naquin only has a .459 OPS in lefty-lefty matchups. He isn’t much of a platoon option with Ozuna’s reverse splits, but he could be a lefty bench bat.

The Package

#4 LHP Tucker Davidson, #20 LHP Dylan Dodd, RHP Huascar Ynoa

Davidson has shown flashes of a quality every day starter in the majors; I’m just not sure he will get that chance in Atlanta. He has a ton of talent, and the Reds can be patient with him. Dylan Dodd is a high upside player from the 2021 MLB Draft who has had a fantastic start to his minor league career — he’s already up to Mississippi. Ynoa may still have enough upside to serve as a filler piece in this deal. If the Reds want a little more for Mahle, I can live with that, but this seems like a fair enough deal for a middle of the rotation starter and a rental bat.

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Photographer: Zachary BonDurant/Icon Sportswire