I know I've blasted people for off the wall trade idea's, but here's one I would love to see the Reds go after.....
Tigers get...
Francisco Cordero: Tigers need a closer, Reds have bullpen depth to spare. 12 million per season through 2011 with 2012 club option (1 million buyout)
Joey Votto: To get what the Reds would get, they would have to give something up... Both were born in 1983, though Votto is 5 months younger.
Wily Taveras: Owed 4 million in 2010, Taveras evens up the salaries on the deal for 2010 alone... Hopefully the deep wall in Detroit removes all hope from Taveras's mind of ever reaching the fences, and he turns into a slap hitter that can spell Granderson better than Wilkin Ramirez...
Bronson Arroyo (Reds pick up 2.5 million of 2010 salary to make 2010 commitments equal for both teams): Allows Detroit to heavily pursue a Edwin Jackson trade in order to free up more salary space... Fly balls aren't as big of a concern in Comerica...
Reds get:
Wow... Gave up a lot didn't we? This better be good....
Miguel Cabrera: Big long-term contract (10:$20M, 11:$20M, 12:$21M, 13:$21M, 14:$22M, 15:$22M), but one of the few players in baseball worth it... What? Right handed power bat that hits for contact too? Awesome. Hit 19 HR's in 293 AB's at Comerica? What does that translate to in GABP terms?
Also... I would start talks with Avila being a part of the deal... Would be just the type of catcher the Reds need...
Kinda absurd to consider taking on a big long-term deal when you're worried about money, but Miggy would give the Reds a 40+ hr superstar that the fans would pay to watch. Also, by losing Arroyo/Cordero/Taveras, the 2010 commitments are a wash financially. Arroyo has a buyout for 2011, but it's not cheap at 2 million, so the Reds would probably bring him back in 2011 at 11 million... that effectively makes Cabrera's 2011 cost only 9 million by virtue of the loss of Arroyo.
After 2010, 11 million more comes off of the books when Rolen's contract expires. You can choose to bring Rolen back, but at his age, it should be at a discount. If not, Francisco is hopefully ready to step in...
After 2012 when Harang/Phillips contracts both expire, the Reds will be faced with decisions based off of Cueto/Bailey/Bruce being arbitration eligible, but with a pretty strong farm system, should be in a situation to make decisions based off of young talent available cheap...
I was obviously bored, so this whole thing is kinda lol, but... What would you think of the Reds making such a move? Is there a more desirable/feasible RH bat available that would have the impact of a Miguel Cabrera?