Three Moves That Could Have Saved Season for Cincinnati Reds
By Adam Hughes
Trade Alfredo Simon in August
Jul 4, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Alfredo Simon throws a pitch during the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Even after the non-waiver deadline, the Reds could have made some hay on the trade market and either built for the future or still bolstered their lineup for 2014. Their key trade chip at that point was Alfredo Simon, whose stellar first half earned him an All-Star berth.
Given that Simon is 33 years old and had never enjoyed any kind of success in a big league rotation before 2014, a steep decline was likely, and that’s exactly what we’ve seen in the second half.
Jocketty could have moved his upstart starter when his value was highest to other contending teams, but the Reds instead rode to the bottom right along with Simon. The big righty will still be a trade candidate in the off-season, but Cincinnati’s return on any deal will be greatly diminished from what it would have been even a month ago.