Everyone wants something to happen, although there is much debate as to which needs must be prioritized. Is it a SS, a LF, or a pitcher? Below are three trade proposals which target players rumored to be available and attempt to address the primary needs of the teams involved. One thing to note is that all of the principals in each of these deals are signed beyond 2011, so they would not be rentals- which is both good and bad, as there are certainly some financial obligations the Reds would have to take on in each of these deals (I currently have them structured so that each team would be sending some money to the Reds.) I have listed them in order of most realistic to least realistic, yet my preferences would be inverted (least preferable to most preferable). Feel free to comment, criticize, or corroborate any of the below proposals:
Proposal 1: Baltimore Orioles (most realistic)
Reds Trade:
1B Yonder Alonso
LHP Travis Wood
OF Fred Lewis
Orioles Trade:
RHP Jeremy Guthrie
SS JJ Hardy
LF Luke Scott
$5 Million
Rationale: Guthrie is available and Reds have been reportedly interested. He would instantly become our 2nd or 3rd best pitcher, having a strong track record in the superior AL East. He and Scott are both signed through next year, extending our window to compete. Scott could at least platoon with Gomes but more likely be the everyday LF. Hardy provides a proven SS. Orioles need a 1B of the future as they currently employ Derrek Lee. Wood gives them another young arm to the stable of Britton, Matusz, Tillman and Arrieta. Lewis is replaced by the lefty hitting Scott.
Proposal 2: Los Angeles Dodgers
Reds Trade:1B Yonder Alonso
C Yasmani Grandal
3B/OF Juan Francisco
LHP Travis Wood
Dodgers Trade:
OF Matt Kemp OR Andre Ethier
SS Rafael Furcal
RHP Chad Billingsley
$5 Million
Rationale: Billingsley has fallen out of favor with Don Mattingly, and he is a local Ohio product who would be a solid #2 for the next few years. Kemp or Ethier would provide a RH masher to play LF and protect Bruce in the lineup (imagine a 3-4-5 of Votto-Bruce-Ethier/Kemp). Furcal is superflous now that Gordon is up, and the Dodgers would be happy to unload these salaries as their payroll problems are well documented. I doubt MLB will let the Dodgers pull a blockbuster before they are repossessed though. Dodgers are in desperate need of a 1B as Loney sucks. Grandal gives them a catcher and Wood a pitcher for the future when they can be competitive again 2-3 years from now, long after Kemp/Ethier and Furcal will be gone.
Proposal 3: Florida Marlins (my favorite)
Reds Trade:
1B Yonder Alonso
C Yasmani Grandal
SS Edgar Renteria
LHP Aroldis Chapman
RHP Edinson Volquez
Marlins Trade:
SS Hanley Ramirez
RHP Anibal Sanchez
$5 Million
Rationale: Almost makes too much sense. HanRam has fallen out of favor in Florida and several people are now calling for him to be traded. While it seems a fantasyland proposal at first, Cincy native Marlins GM Mike Hill has shown a propensity to do these types of blockbusters in the past, although hopefully this works out better than the Cabrera/Willis for Maybin/Miller deal did. This trade is actually quite similar to that one, with the Marlins trading their All-World hitter and one of their best pitchers for two (in this case three) top prospects, all of which are of Cuban descent. Alonso and Grandal would both be coming home, and Renteria could finish his career where he started it and became a WS MVP. Biggest question here is whether Reds can absorb HanRam's contract (due >$50MM over next four years). Would certainly spell the end of Phillips and Votto in Cincy once their current deals expire, although getting Chapman off the books would help mitigate it somewhat.
Reply With Quote