Is it time to trade Homer Bailey?

[harangatang]

With Homer Bailey becoming one of the top minor league prospects in all of the minor leagues, many people are excited about the future with this kid. I think the future looks bright with this kid but the Reds have had similar top pitching prospects such as Gruler and Howington who have went down the drain. So with the Reds past record is it time to get something of value for Homer Bailey while the Reds can get something of value for him? Or do you say the Reds should let him still develop and hopefully succeed in a Reds uniform?

[SultanOfSwing]

I wouldn't trade him. He is a lot different than Gruler or Howington. They never did this well, but IIRC were just highly-regarded draft picks. I don't think Homer would net enough to justify trading him. The only scenario I can think of is if Florida was willing to part with Willis and Cabrera and Homer was needed in the trade without the Reds including EE. To me, that is the only situation that I would trade him. Just MO.

[klw]

How about to the Mets for Victor Zambrano

[reds1869]

No way. Homer Bailey has the potential to be a real star in the majors. Unless a team is willing to give up an established number one with a few years left on the tires, I hang on to Homer. You shouldn't trade a guy because he might not pan out--that is just years of frustration/bad management talking in your post.

[Patrick Bateman]

With Homer Bailey becoming one of the top minor league prospects in all of the minor leagues, many people are excited about the future with this kid. I think the future looks bright with this kid but the Reds have had similar top pitching prospects such as Gruler and Howington who have went down the drain. So with the Reds past record is it time to get something of value for Homer Bailey while he van get the Reds something of value? Or do you say the Reds should let him still develop and hopefully succeed in a Reds uniform?

It depends on what you can get for him. I wouldn't trade him for the sake of trading him. Sometimes you have to be patient. The Reds will never develop an arm if we trade all of them because we are afraid of the past.

I doubt we can get the kind of return it would take to neccessitate moving him anyways.

[Red in Atl]

Yeah lets trade the only blue chip pitching prospect we have. Once we get about 4-5, then I'd consider it.

[Tom Servo]

Only if we're getting a Halladay/Santana/Carpenter or an extremely bountiful return.

[flyer85]

Howington and Gruler were never similar to Bailey. Their injuries started before they had minor league success.

[Falls City Beer]

I'd trade Bailey as the principal in a deal for a MLB starter or a monster bat.

[Johnny Footstool]

There is no such thing as an untouchable prospect. If the deal is right, trade him.

[Strikes Out Looking]

Maybe only to the Sox with Dunn for Papelbom and Manny. But I'd have both Papelbom and Manny have about 5 MRI's on various body parts (and have the Sox pay for it).

[registerthis]

I'd trade Bailey as the principal in a deal for a MLB starter or a monster bat.

Right. The question isn't *should* the Reds trade Bailey, it's whom the Reds should get in return. I don't think you can look at any player on this team as untouchable, and that certainly extends to Bailey. I'd like to see him come up with the Reds and have success, nothing would make me happier. But the fact remains is that he's a prospect who hasn't pitched an inning above AA. If someone comes along looking to deal a top-caliber pitcher or--as FCB says--a monster bat, the Reds would be foolish not to consider the offer.

We can't become blinded by the idea of what Bailey could potentially do. He hasn't done anything yet, and if the last decade of futility has taught Reds fans anything, it should be that prospects are *never* a sure thing.

[dougdirt]

No.

[BRM]

There is no such thing as an untouchable prospect. If the deal is right, trade him.

Exactly. Everyone should be available if the right deal came along.

[red-in-la]

Ask yourself.....would you have traded Roy Oswalt just before he went to AAA?

I your answer is yes, find another sport.....