MLB Rumors - Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers Nearing Deal Involving Todd Frazier

The Cincinnati Reds have traded Todd Frazier to the Chicago White Sox in a three-team deal which saw them acquire infielder Jose Peraza, outfielder Scott Schebler, and infielder Brandon Dixon. Three team deals get really tricky and usually what happens is one of the teams shoehorns themselves in when their presence wasn't really necessary. Obviously, Andrew Friedman graduated from the same school of thought.

The Chicago White Sox had a major hole to fill at third base, and today, they did their best to fill it with an All-Star. The Dodgers are happy with their yield, and not just because of the talent they received and how they're going to play with them, but mostly in how it positions them to make further deals. The athletic outfielder, who was taken 61st overall in 2009 by the White Sox, made his Major League Baseball debut as well in 2015, hitting five home runs with a.295/.363/.533 line in 53 games. He hit.255/.309/.498 with 35 home runs and 89 RBI in 157 games with Cincinnati last season, and has spent his entire 5-year major-league career with the Reds. Frazier is set to earn $7.5 million this upcoming season and after that, he is arbitration eligible. While not much of prospect at this point, he could be a solid player after slashing.263/.303/.443 with 19 home runs this past year. They surrendered three players that had cups of coffee with the team, but none of them were cornerstone players.

For the Reds, this deal continues to signify their rebuild. Brandon Dixon has the look of a super utility guy.

The tough part is losing young outfielder Trayce Thompson, who blossomed after being given a shot last summer and was supposed to see more playing time in center next year.

Schebler, 25, also made his big league debut this year and hit.

Frazier's Home Run Derby title was the best moment in Cincinnati's disappointing season that ended in a 64-98 record and prompted the Reds to start a full-scale rebuilding. A Bruce trade might open a starting spot for both Schebler and Duvall.

The biggest question mark with the young Venezuelan is his ability to get on base and absence of power. The Atlanta Braves dealt him to the Dodgers in the Hector Olivera three-team deal mid-season, while the Reds nearly acquired Peraza from the Dodgers following the called-off Aroldis Chapman deal earlier this month.

This move is potentially setting up a bigger trade for the Dodgers, in which they have been rumored to be targeting Marlins ace Jose Fernandez. The prize of the deal just might be Frankie Montas. He's batted.302/.342/.387 with 201 steals in five minor-league seasons. He has a live arm and might stick in middle relief this season. However, they believe that with Montas, Johnson and Thompson they're better positioned to make moves in the market. The Dodgers signed Chase Utley, but he may have already fallen over the hill. He didn't reach 90 runs scored either.

That would require asking Frazier to move for the two years remaining on his contract, with left field the most likely scenario, which proved unfeasible for Los Angeles. I feel like I'll need to talk to a lot of guys and see what their thought process is on certain pitchers I'm going to face....