As the Atlanta Braves look for possible DH options this offseason, one name that could come up a lot is Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jesse Winker.
I wrote yesterday about the internal options for the Atlanta Braves at DH, which pretty much consists of Marcell Ozuna.
But the Braves also need some help in the outfield, and Jesse Winker could provide a lift at both positions.
As is pointed out in this article on MLB Trade Rumors, most people talk about the Reds in terms of them trading one of their three starting pitchers.
However, Winker could be another expensive (somewhat) asset they could look to move.
He’s under team control through arbitration for two more seasons and is set to make around $7 million in 2022 and then $10-11 million in 2023.
Not a terrible contract at all for one of the best offensive producers in baseball, but apparently the Reds need to cut money somewhere.
His Baseball Savant chart speaks for itself, there is no denying that when healthy he’s one of the best left-handed hitters in the game with average exit velocities north of 90 MPH and a hard-hit rate of 49 and 47.1 the past two seasons.
Health is really the only concern with him as he’s had trouble staying on the field. In five seasons, he’s never played in more than 113 games and he’s only played over 100 games twice.
But a career slash of .288/.385/.504 tells you that when healthy, the 28-year-old can hit.
Braves Trade Target — Jesse Winker — What’s the Cost
Like I said in my post about trading for Sonny Gray, the asking price for the Reds should be high. I believe the Braves can get Winker without giving up Michael Harris II, Shea Langeliers, or Spencer Strider who are my three untouchables right now.
But they’d likely have to give up someone in that next tier of prospects.
This might be the deal you move Drew Waters for. While I’m not ready to give up on Waters and think his ceiling is still pretty high, the Braves’ window to win another World Series is now and Winker can help them do it before Waters can.
I’m not sure Waters on his own is enough, so the Braves would need to throw in a complementary piece like a Brooks Wilson or Jasseel De La Cruz.
That still may not be enough to entice the Reds, but I think it’s the best package I would put together for him.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below on Winker as a trade target and what package you would give up for him.