3 Unexpected Trades the Cincinnati Reds Could Pull off This Offseason

The Cincinnati Reds don't exactly have a reputation for shocking the world. The last time a notable swap was executed in the offseason, Mat Latos became the unquestioned No. 2 guy and solidified a fierce starting rotation. That was two years ago.

This offseason, should the Reds execute a trade, you'd have to think it will involve one of the four starting pitchers set to enter free agency after the 2015 season: Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, Mike Leake or Alfredo Simon. Beyond that, closer Aroldis Chapman is probably the least enticing asset that could be used at the table.

It's not that the Reds are short on talent—it's just that most of the team's core members suffered injuries that have to have crippled their value at this juncture. General managers typically won't pay a premium on damaged goods.

The following are a few trades that Walt Jocketty could possibly execute, given the Reds' needs and the needs of these other teams involved. Notice, the title of the article reads "unexpected trades," so do be cognizant that there are not any rumors of these trades, nor is there a likelihood beyond what I've identified as a suitable match.

1. RHP Johnny Cueto for OF Andre Ethier, OF Joc Pederson,  LHP Chris Reed

If Johnny Cueto is indeed dealt, he will most likely go to a team with the ability to sign him long-term. At the top of that list are the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have precisely what the Reds need: outfield talent.

Andre Ethier has seemingly been squeezed out of a crowded Dodgers outfield that features Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig and Carl Crawford on most nights (plus Scott Van Slyke). There's just no room for Ethier, who played in 130 games last year and slashed .249/.322/.370.

The Dodgers would obviously have to eat some salary (Ethier is set to make $18 million in 2015).

Gus Ruelas/Associated Press

Joc Pederson would be absolutely necessary to execute this trade. While Ethier is still serviceable, he's a 32-year-old outfielder whose batting average has fallen consistently over the past four years. Pederson, who is MLB-ready, makes for the centerpiece of this trade.

He slashed .303/.435/.582 in Triple-A Albuquerque last season in 121 games. He hit 33 home runs in that span. In just 18 games with the Dodgers, he slashed .143/.351/.143.

Chris Reed is the Dodgers' No. 8 prospect, according to MLB.com. The 24-year-old left-hander finished the year in Triple-A, where he struggled in a very limited window of playing time. In five games started, Reed went 0-3 with a 10.97 ERA. Prior to being called up, he was 4-8 with a 3.22 ERA in Double-A.

If it sounds like the Dodgers are giving up a lot, it is because they certainly are. But consider the deal for David Price. While it's true that two other teams were involved, the Tampa Bay Rays ultimately received two top-five prospects (one being a very good starting pitcher with an MLB ERA of 3.26 in three years) and a mid-level prospect for Price.

If Cueto wins the Cy Young, the argument can be made that the aforementioned return isn't enough.

2. LHP Aroldis Chapman for OF Yoenis Cespedes

The Boston Red Sox will be looking to add players this offseason—following a year when the team unloaded at the deadline. While closer Koji Uehara was serviceable, he's 39 years old now and will be 40 at the start of the season next year. He went 6-5 with a 2.52 ERA, but he did have a respectable 80/8 K/BB ratio over 64 1/3 innings.

Per Rotoworld, Uehara was just resigned to a two-year, $18 million contract by the Red Sox. However, for a bullpen that finished just outside the top-10 in bullpen ERA (but No. 7 in bullpen losses), it's not far-fetched to assume the Red Sox will try to make improvements.

Aroldis Chapman is arbitration eligible, so he'll definitely be getting a pay raise, regardless of where he is. And while he's coming off a history-making season, he's simply a luxury that the cash-strapped Reds cannot afford.

The Reds bullpen was terrible last season (11-31, 4.11). But with guys like Tony Cingrani and Sean Marshall on pace to get healthy by next season—and with the emergence of Jumbo Diaz—it's likely the Reds will have enough talent to cover the back of the bullpen.

Cespedes gives the Reds their clean-up-hitting left-fielder. And, apparently, the Sox are looking to deal him anyways. As noted by D.J. Short of NBCSports.com:

"

Two other reasons the Red Sox are open to dealing Cespedes are his open disenchantment with Boston and his refusal to pay any heed to their coaches. “He marches to his own drum and the coaches all hate him,” said a Red Sox insider.

"

So, there's that.

3. RHP Mat Latos for OF Kole Calhoun

If Mat Latos were to indeed be traded, it would be impossible to get maximum value for him. He started last season on the DL and went on to end the season on the DL, so questions surrounding his durability are going to decrease his value (especially since he just had stem-cell surgery on his elbow).

Still, his numbers don't lie. In 16 starts last season, Latos went 5-5 with a 3.25 ERA. He pitched just 102.1 innings.

Gregory Bull/Associated Press

That still might be enough to command decent talent in return, especially for a team like the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They would have the cash necessary to extend Latos beyond 2015.

Kole Calhoun is a 27-year-old outfielder who played in 127 games with the Angels last season. In that span, he slashed .272/.325/.450. He is a right-fielder, so he'd have to switch to left. In four minor league seasons, he's played in just 29 games there.

The left-handed slugger would be a healthy addition to the Reds lineup, while also affording the Reds more financial flexibility (because Mat Latos is due for a raise being arbitration eligible).

The Angeles will improve a starting rotation that turned in the No. 13 starting ERA in baseball.

All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com unless noted otherwise.