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Sources: Reds talking trade for Rangers’ Jeffress
- Updated: December 7, 2016
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — More meetings and plenty of talks have occupied the Reds as the Winter Meetings rolled through Tuesday. One of the clubs that general manager Dick Williams has been in discussions with is the Rangers.
Two sources told MLB.com that the Reds are discussing reliever Jeremy Jeffress with Texas. The Rangers have shown interest in three Reds players under club control — center fielder Billy Hamilton and starting pitchers Anthony DeSclafani and Dan Straily.
In his first year of arbitration eligibility, Jeffress is projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to get $2.9 million in 2017. The Reds certainly need bullpen help, but there are risks associated with the 29-year-old right-hander because of past issues with substance abuse.
Less than a month after being part of the trade from the Brewers to the Rangers that included Jonathan Lucroy, Jeffress was arrested on Aug. 26 and charged with driving while intoxicated. He checked into an alcohol rehab facility for a month. Twice during Jeffress’ Minor League career, he was suspended after testing positive for marijuana.
In 59 games with Milwaukee and Texas last season, Jeffress had a 2.33 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 58 innings. He has a 2.91 ERA over seven big league seasons.
The Reds are less inclined to trade their starting pitchers, especially ones like DeSclafani and Straily as both are under club control for four more years. Also a factor is Cincinnati still has numerous rotation questions.
Homer Bailey missed most of the past two seasons with elbow injuries. Brandon Finnegan had a nice first year as a starter in 2016 but has room to grow. Straily won 14 games and …
