*Photo from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette*
Right now, it's a trader's paradise out there. The Cincinnati Reds have acquired IF Kevin Newman from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for RHP Dauri Moreta. Additionally, the Reds have acquired RHP Casey Legumina from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for IF Kyle Farmer.
In dealing for Newman and sending out Farmer, the Reds acquire a middle infielder to shore up their depth with slightly less upside offensively. Newman is a former first round pick of the Pirates in 2015 who was losing playing time in Pittsburgh with the emergence of Oneil Cruz at shortstop and Rodolfo Castro and Ke'Bryan Hayes.
Cincinnati GM Nick Krall said of swapping Farmer for Newman that they are "Similar players, just doing it a little bit differently. Kyle was transitioning more to the corner. Newman stayed more in the middle, a little bit more rangy. Kyle is a little bit more offensive. We’re just looking for a different fit, and Newman just kind of fit better."
Due to injuries and young players, Newman was limited in action in 2022. He ended the season with a .274 batting average, .316 on base percentage, and .687 OPS, hitting two home runs with 24 RBI's in 78 games for the Pirates.
Over 5 big league seasons, all with the Pirates, Newman has a .260 average to his name. He also has a .303 on base percentage, .357 slugging percentage, and .660 OPS, hitting 20 home runs to go with 143 RBI's in 431 career games. Newman made his big league debut with a 31 game showing in 2018.
Going back to the Pirates in the trade is Moreta, a young relief pitcher who just finished his first full big league season after a short stint in 2021. Moreta finished with a 5.40 ERA, 5.80 FIP, and 1.17 WHIP, throwing 38 1/3 innings in 34 relief appearances and one start, picking up one save.
Pirates GM Ben Cherington said of acquiring Moreta that "He's been successful in the Minor Leagues. He's had some success in the Major Leagues. He's another in a group of pitchers we have who we believe, we hope are on that verge of taking that one more step to becoming more regular established Major League pitchers."
In a separate trade, Farmer was moved to the Twins after his 4th season with the Reds. He ended the 2022 campaign with a .255 batting average, .315 on base percentage, and .701 OPS, hitting 14 home runs with 78 RBI's in 145 games all over the infield for the Reds.
Farmer has 6 major league seasons under his belt, split between the Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers. He has a .254 batting average, .311 on base percentage, and .393 slugging percentage, hitting 39 home runs and driving in 183 runs in 480 games. He has zero hits in 10 plate appearances during the playoffs.
Krall said of trading Farmer that "Kyle is a tremendous player, a tremendous guy. He really embedded himself into Cincinnati. Everybody really likes Kyle. We all do. It was a tough conversation to have whenever I called him. I had conversations with his agent. We were talking about different fits and how he fits here vs. some other places. I think, for us, it just made some sense."
Coming back to the Reds from the Twins is Legumina, drafted in the 8th round of the 2019 draft. Legumina spent time with High A Cedar Rapids and Double A Wichita, ending the year with a 4.80 ERA and 1.44 WHIP, starting 16 games and making 17 relief appearances.
As a result of the trades, Newman will compete with Jose Barrero to be the Reds opening day starting shortstop. Moreta will likely be in the Pirates bullpen on opening day. Legumina will likely head to the Reds Double A team, while Farmer will contend for infield playing time with the Twins.
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