Reds’ blockbuster trade with Dodgers should bring about end to Homer Bailey’s career

On the 21st of December, the Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers completed what some call a blockbuster deal, the Reds receiving outfielders Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig, pitcher Alex Wood, and catcher Kyle Farmer, while the Dodgers got Homer Bailey and minor leaguers Jeter Downs and Josiah Gray.

This trade excites me, not so much because of the players involved, but just because the front office is showing a willingness to try things. I’m not the biggest Puig fan, but Kemp batted .290 in 146 games last year, and he added 21 homers and 86 RBI, so that should help.

Wood pitched in 33 games with a 3.86 ERA last year, and since the Reds didn’t have a starting pitcher with an ERA that low, it has to be considered a potential plus. The Reds are basically bringing Farmer in as a third-string catcher, so, injuries aside, he probably won’t make a big impact on the team this year.

But it’s just that the front office is showing its ability to move toward competing. This whole thing might prove to be a bad decision on the Reds’ part, but at least they’re trying something.

If nothing else, they can close their book on Homer, who, despite his 12 years with the team, hadn’t bounced back well from Tommy John surgery, going 1-14 with a 6.09 ERA this past year and 6-9 with a 6.43 mark the year before. Homer has already been released by the Dodgers. This way, Homer can go off, still being paid for a couple of years, a twelve-year career and two no-hitters under his belt. Not too shabby for him.

So, what do the Dodgers get out of this whole deal? They’ve already let go the one non-minor leaguer they traded for, so what did the deal do for them? The Dodgers used the deal to clear up salary cap, it being said that they’re shooting for Bryce Harper. We’ll see how that all turns out.

So, the Reds are moving pieces in hopes of contending; it’s even being said that they’re looking to land Dallas Keuchel; That’d be cool. Nevertheless, I’m optimistic about next year, but I’m optimistic about every year.

Thanks for reading, friends. Hope you have a blessedly safe and happy New Year.