[redsfandan]

Originally Posted by dougdirt

Of course the Reds are paying Bruce for his prime, where as Phillips has seen his prime and it was several years ago. He is likely to decline going forward both offensively and defensively. I would rather someone else pay for that.

With that said, I would pick up his option for next year. You don't want to be stuck with no second baseman next year because you weren't able to find a guy in free agency and the Reds simply don't have an internal option for second base ready for April 2012. I would pick up the option and re-evaluate things in August 2012 after seeing most of the season from guys like Didi Gregorius and Henry Rodriguez in AA/AAA.

Unless one of those guys tears through AA/AAA without ANY problems the Reds probably won't have an internal replacement in April 2013 either. And even when they think they have someone ready chances are it WON'T be one of those rare prospects that will hit from the get go when they make it to the majors. Maybe BP will still resign after next year. I don't think the Reds should wait til then though. Banking on a Reds prospect to be ready to take over that soon is wishful thinking.