Dayan Vizcaido would fix Reds’ left field and budget problems

Even though they didn’t get free agent outfielder Melky Cabrera, the Reds could certainly benefit from signing him to a huge multi-year deal with the White Sox. Cincinnati could finally get a right-handed hitter to play left field.

Trade rumors swirled around the Reds making a deal with Boston for Yoenis Céspedes, who was sent to Detroit instead. Céspides would have been a good fit, especially with fellow Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman, but the slugger’s $15 million for 2015 may have put him out of Cincinnati’s price range.

The White Sox now offer a cheaper version of Céspides in left fielder Dayan Vizcaido’s uniform. In fact, he may have an even better pace than Céspides for more than $10 million less per year.

Vizcaido hit 21 home runs and drove in 58 runs last year, stats that would likely improve at Cincinnati’s hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park. Meanwhile, Céspedes hit just one more home run than Vizcaido, splitting time between Oakland and Boston.

“The White Sox are going to trade Dayan Vizcaido for someone,” said Bruce Levine of The Score. “He’s excess baggage for them and great home run potential for someone else, at just 26 years old.”

Cincinnati could fill Chicago’s need for an infielder to add depth at both second and third, positions that are currently the weakest parts of a fairly strong team. The White Sox plan to use prospect Micah Johnson at second base, but a trade for Kris Negron from the Reds would give Chicago a backup plan in case Johnson struggles.

Negrón was impressive in regular playing time in September, finishing with six home runs and hitting .271. He can also play third base, where Chicago’s Conor Gillaspie saw his power numbers cut in half last season.

The Reds need to act fast if they intend to trade for Vizcaido. The Mariners have already been in aggressive trade negotiations with Chicago over the left fielder. Cincinnati, as a team in the National League and with a promising youngster, would be a more desirable trade partner for the White Sox.

While nearly all of the Reds’ deals so far this winter have helped their minor league system, this one would fill an immediate need. Vizcaido’s salary of $2,800,000 would certainly fit into the Cincinnati team’s budget, and the Reds wouldn’t give up any of the everyday players who have helped the team reach the postseason three of the last four seasons.