The Colorado Rockies have acquired RHP Robert Stephenson and OF Jameson Hannah from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for RHPs Jeff Hoffman and Case Williams.
This four player deal can be seen as a change of scenery deal that also includes some prospects. Hoffman and Stephenson are the most known players included, although Hannah and Williams may have a higher ceiling. The 9th overall pick in 2014 by the Blue Jays, Hoffman was acquired the next year by the Rockies in the Troy Tulowitzki deal. He has gotten chances to start in the MLB, although he hasn\’t really taken advantage of those chances. A rough -1.7 WAR over five career seasons shows that. Leaving Coors Field could help Hoffman, although the bullpen should be where he\’s headed. While Hoffman is an immediate project for the Reds, if Williams ever makes it to the MLB, it will not be soon. He was drafted in the 4th round in this June\’s draft out of High School, and because of the cancellation of the minor league season, he has not played professionally yet, although he did sign with the Rockies. His senior season showed some promise, and he struck out 134 batters in 98 innings over high school.
Hoffman, 27, had a 9.28 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 21.1 innings for the Rockies in 2020. In his MLB career, all for Colorado, Hoffman has a 6.40 ERA with 197 strikeouts and a 1.621 WHIP in 230.2 innings.
Williams, 18, struck out 79 batters with a 1.81 ERA in 2019 for Douglas County High School, in Castle Rock, Colorado, not too far from the team that drafted him.
The Rockies win this trade for now, in my opinion, although this is not some major win, and there is a good chance that the Reds could declare victory here. That prediction is based off of the Rockies hoping that Stephenson did not peak in 2019. That was by far his best season, as he was an effective reliever for Cincinnati, striking out 81 in 64.2 innings with a 3.76 ERA. He was the 27th overall selection by the Reds in 2011. Hannah was acquired by the Reds a year ago from Oakland for Tanner Roark. A 2nd rounder in 2018, he has yet to show much in the minor leagues, but he was ranked by MLB Pipeline as Cincinnati\’s 15th best prospect prior to the deal.
Stephenson, 27, had a 9.90 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 10 innings for the Reds in 2020. In his MLB career, Stephenson has a 5.15 ERA with 222 strikeouts and a 1.462 WHIP in 208 innings.
Hannah, 23, hit two home runs with eights stolen bases, a .274 average and a .708 OPS in 491 Plate Appearances between Stockton and Dayton, two High-A teams, in 2019. In his MiLB career, Hannah has three home runs with 14 stolen bases and a .275 average.
CarterHud 