Could the Reds trade for Alex Rios?

The obstacle is his monster contract, of course. About $10m a year, I believe. I think the Sox would possibly be willing to take Harang's expiring contract in addition to some prospects. The question is, would you want him?

He's a risk, but last year was not at all in line with his career numbers. Fangraphs thinks he's bacl to his old self (http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index...s-sample-size/)He's red hot so far this year. It would certainly fill our most glaring offensive hole (again, assuming last year was a fluke). If you go by UZR, he easily trumps Stubbs defensively.

The Reds don't need this guy or his contract. They're trying to build from within and appear to be successful to this point. There is talent in the minors for most of the holes at the top. Stay with the plan.

I doubt the White Sox would want to trade him unless it was for well over market value. They obviously saw something they liked in him when they took on his contract. And this season he is putting up very good numbers outside of OBP in a pretty subpar lineup.

And no, the Reds should not attempt to touch him. Way to risky.

I was interested in Rios a few years back.

But I like our current plan of developing from within or filling in positions with cheap free agents (Cabrera, Gomes, Nix).

We had no quality defensive third baseman in the minors, so we went and solidified third base and reworked his contract, with Rolen. Good move.

Cabrera is a quality aging stopgap until Cozart or Valaika are ready. More likely Cozart.

Phillips may be the one on the bubble with his impending $11M contract raise next season. Not sure the team wants to pay that much. And Valaika is doing really well at triple A and playing second base pretty regularly. I think they were hoping Frazier would put it together, but he's struggling.

Joey is firmly entrenched at first base making Alonso good trade bait as long as he does well in the minors.

Bruce, Stubbs, Heisey, and then free agents Gomes/Nix is a solid outfield and a good one defensively for the most part.

And our catching tandem is one of the best in baseball.

To me, the weak link so far is our bullpen. I would love to upgrade it.

I never dreamed out starting pitching would be in this good of a position. Harang and Arroyo are gone after this year, although re-signing Arroyo wouldn't bother me. I'm not pushing for it, but his rubber arm and eating up of innings is very valuable in resting our bullpen.

Cueto
Bailey
Leake
Volquez - if healthy
and Wood, Maloney, Klinker, and possibly Chapman on the way.

Yeah, we don't need Rios. We need a bullpen upgrade and a #1 starter if we make the postseason.

If we could trade Harang and a few prospects for him, that would be great.... As long as they would take Harang's contract.

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Originally Posted by PlugALeake

If we could trade Harang and a few prospects for him, that would be great.... As long as they would take Harang's contract.

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The thing is we are out from under Harang's contract this season. Rios still has plenty of big money years left on his. He is not talented enough for us to spend that kinda money on. It would be wiser to use it to lock up Joey, Jay, and some of our other young guys.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Griffey012

The thing is we are out from under Harang's contract this season. Rios still has plenty of big money years left on his. He is not talented enough for us to spend that kinda money on. It would be wiser to use it to lock up Joey, Jay, and some of our other young guys.

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Agreed, makes good sense.