Padres division-by-division trade targets: NL Central

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 12: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after scoring the game-winning run in the 8th inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on July 12, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Pirates 4-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 12: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after scoring the game-winning run in the 8th inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on July 12, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Pirates 4-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 15: Trevor  Bauer #27 of the Cincinnati Reds delivers a first inning pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 15, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 15: Trevor  Bauer #27 of the Cincinnati Reds delivers a first inning pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 15, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Reds

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The Reds are a team that you might have to deal with during the season because I think they go into the season thinking they have a chance to make the postseason.

In fact, they could be one of the teams the Padres are battling for a Wild Card spot.

But one name to keep an eye on if the Reds nosedive to start the season is Trevor Bauer.

He’s only under control through the 2020 season at $18.6 million.

Bauer was great to start the 2019 season and looked like a Cy Young candidate. But he really struggled after being traded to the Reds with a 6.39 ERA in 10 starts, which is surprising considering he came from the AL to the NL.

Overall he posted a 4.48 ERA in 213 innings pitched with 253 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.25.

Maybe they look to move him this offseason and get some prospect capital back, but most likely he starts the 2020 season with the team and they try to move him before the trade deadline.

They certainly aren’t trading Luis Castillo or Sonny Gray, so don’t get your hopes up there.

The other trade options from the Reds aren’t that intriguing in catcher Tucker Barnhart and infielder Freddy Galvis.

I do like Galvis as a potential utility player who can back-up Fernando Tatis Jr. at shortstop and will push Luis Urias at second.