Originally Posted by
Guacarock
If we're going to trade a catcher to Boston, maybe Hanigan ought to be dangled instead of Hernandez, Mesoraco or Grandal. Here are five reasons why I wouldn't rule out that possibility if we got the right return.
1. It's obvious Boston isn't looking for a prospect but rather someone they can add to their ML team right away.
2. They're looking at guys who are older than Hanigan and cost more. With his age-advantage and contract-advantage, Hanigan could well be more appealing to the Sox than Molina, Rodriguez or Snyder.
3. Just as a trade of Hanigan might work better for Boston than a deal involving Hernandez, the same could apply to the Reds. Hanigan could bring us back a player we want or might need sooner rather than later. A deal involving Hernandez, by contrast, would probably only net salary relief or long-term prospects. As long as we stay loaded and in contention, salary relief and long-term prospects probably won't matter to us as much as maintaining our bigger Mo, and making sure we can plug any gaps we see with the existing ML team.
4. I submit we probably can stay on course and maintain the Mojo if Hernandez remains the Reds' 1AB veteran mentor catcher and Mesoraco steps forward and becomes the Reds' 2BA understudy young stud catcher instead of Hanigan. And, philosophically, who do you want schooling Mesoraco? A direct competitor like Hanigan or a seasoned pro like Hernandez who is quite capable of covering for any of Mesoraco's learning lapses, but isn't likely to overshadow him at this point in time? Who's the vet who will impart more of the trade secrets and is best suited to teaching Mesoraco the ropes -- Hernandez or Hanigan?
5. Finally, this is Boston we're discussing. If I'm the Sox, I wanna guy named Hanigan. He might not be a Kennedy, but if he delivered some heroics come June or July, you don't think he could quickly become a fan favorite in Bean Town?
Again, all of this debate is academic if Boston isn't willing to listen to us and fill our needs. In that case, I wouldn't dangle Hanigan, let alone Hernandez, Mesoraco or Grandal. Having a surplus of bona fide ML-quality catchers puts us in the cat-bird's seat, and that's a great place to occupy, and one we shouldn't abandon unless we get a legitimate return.