White Sox Acquire Home Run Derby Champ Todd Frazier

Last summer, Cincinnati Reds third baseman Todd Frazier captured America’s attention by winning the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby in his home stadium. But now the Great American Ballpark is no longer home.

On Wednesday, Frazier was moved to the Chicago White Sox in a three team deal; his power will be a welcome addition to their line-up. The third baseman batted .255 this year with 43 doubles, 35 homers and 89 RBIs.

“This was very difficult to do,” Reds president of baseball operations Walt Jocketty said after informing Frazier. “It was a difficult phone call to make. But as we set out to get this team back in contention as quickly as we can, we felt this was part of the process to get to this point.”

The Reds got three players from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the trade: infielders Brandon Dixon and Jose Peraza and outfielder Scott Schebler. Los Angeles acquired second baseman Micah Johnson, right-hander Frankie Montas and outfielder Trayce Thompson from the White Sox, completing the three-way deal.

The trade will continue Cincinnati’s rebuilding efforts. They traded Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake during the season and were on the verge of trading Aroldis Chapman before he was involved in a domestic dispute this offseason. A plan to move shortstop Eugenio Suarez is also reportedly in the works.

With those moves, there was little reason to keep an expensive power hitter in the form of Phillips, The Reds will just have to hope that the young talent they received in return will pan out.

Photo: Todd Frazier in the Home Run Derby © Elsa/Getty Images.

Article by Joe Kozlowski