* The Reds haven’t given up on re-signing outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, but
probably would need to trade second baseman Brandon Phillips and possibly right-hander Homer Bailey to create the necessary payroll room, sources said.
Phillips is a goner, Bailey a more difficult call. Lefty Tony Cingrani figures to replace free-agent right-hander Bronson Arroyo. A trade of Bailey, who is a year away from free agency, would require the Reds to move Aroldis Chapman to the rotation unless they acquired another starter.
All that might be too much to ask to accommodate the signing of a $100 million-plus free agent, but
the Reds envision Choo playing center field for one more season before yielding to Billy Hamilton and moving to left. If they lose Choo, they likely would go with Hamilton and acquire a veteran complement in center.
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