Colorado Rockies trade reliever Mychal Givens to the Reds for two prospects
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The first domino fell Wednesday when the Rockies traded reliever Mychal Givens to the Reds for prospects Case Williams and Noah Davis.
Givens was traded to the Rockies less than a year ago from the Orioles and was set to become a free agent at the end of the season. With starter Jon Gray, closer Daniel Bard and shortstop Trevor Story expected to be on the market, this could be the first of a series of trades the Rockies make before the deadline Friday.
Williams, the Rockies’ fourth-round pick in 2020 draft, and Noah Davis are ranked No. 20 and No. 26 on the Reds’ prospect list, respectively.
Williams was traded to the Reds as part of the November deal that sent him and Jeff Hoffman to the Reds in exchange for Robert Stephenson and Jameson Hannah. Williams had a 5.55 ERA in 11 starts with the Reds’ low-A team. He is a Colorado native with a fastball in the 92-95 mph range.
Davis, drafted in 2018, had a 3.60 ERA in 13 starts with the Reds’ high-A team. He throws a low 90s fastball, in addition to a slider and curveball. His breaking pitches, Rockies manager Bud Black said, are big-league quality.
“I like the delivery,” Black said of Davis. “I think he has major league talent, now we have to see it develop and have it be a little more consistent.”
The Reds need bullpen help and Givens, who had a 2.73 ERA in 29.2 innings this season, can provide some late-inning relief, typically pitching the seventh or the eighth inning for the Rockies this season. The Reds also traded for relievers Luis Cessa and Justin Wilson from the Yankees on Tuesday night.
“Michael has pitched well for us this year,” Black said. “Overall he has been pretty consistent. The Reds are getting a veteran reliever who knows his game.”
Tyler Kinley is expected to take on the role Givens held, but young relievers — like Lucas Gilbreath and Ben Bowden — could be placed in high-stakes situations to gain experience.