Marty and Hal believe a trade is brewing

[OnBaseMachine]

Marty and Hal were talking about this during the second inning of Saturday's game. Apparently Hal asked Narron about the acquisition of Brandon Phillips...and Narron's response was, "if I told you, I would have to kill you". Both Marty and Hal believe a trade is in the works. I believe Marc has even commented that he wouldn't be surprised to see a trade on Monday.

I'm trying to figure out who it could be. It wouldn't be an outfielder because they most likely wouldn't have sent Denorfia down knowing one of the outfielders were about to be traded.

You can absolutely not trade Felipe Lopez unless you get a bonafide number one starter in return. Edwin Encarnacion should also be untouchable unless a team dangles a Francisco Liriano or Justin Verlander type of pitching prospect.

Adam Dunn should only be dealt for two players in major league baseball: Albert Pujols or Rich Harden.

I want to hang on to Kearns, however, if someone offers a deal that blows me away then I would do it. I would only trade Freel if it nets me two power arm relievers or a #2 or 3 starting pitcher.

I would look into packaging one of the catchers plus a prospect for Jeff Francis. He will never do much in Coors Field anyways so why not go after him. Gavin Floyd is another guy I would like to have.

[KronoRed]

I have a sinking feeling that it'll be Freel..and we won't get equal value for him, more then likely an old bullpen arm.

[JohhnyBench1001]

That's what I'm thinking as well. We all like Freel here, but truth is he doesn't have huge value on the market, because he doesn't hit for power or have a lofty batting avg. We are looking at an old bullpen arm as you said in exchange. I would much rather trade Womack/a catcher for the same bullpen arm, and keep Freel. That way even if they do want to hand the job to Phillips then Freel can back up both middle IF spots.............and play OF if needed. He is just to valuable a utility guy to get rid of for a crappy arm...........and to make room for a kid who didn't want to listen to his coaches in Cleveland and got sent packing. I really hope we're wrong on this one.

[jmcclain19]

Freddie Bynum is a younger, poorer version of Freel with little MLB experience and he netted Juan Dominguez last week, a guy who has quite the live arm. I'm sure that fact didn't go unnoticed by Mr. Krivsky

I read that the White Sox wanna trade a starter ... if the Reds can get something out of there, that would be pretty awesome.

[Guacarock]

Would not only be a shame, but also lame to let Freel go for bogus bullpen fodder. Freel is the team's most qualified lead-off hitter, he's just now entering his prime and he's signed cheap for a couple of years.

We may or may not need him at 2B, but he's our best heir apparent to succeed Junior in CF and gives us options at RF, LF and 3B. The fact is, Junior should not be manning CF for us this time next year. Maybe he's traded this summer or next winter in a package for pitching and prospects. Maybe he's converted to LF or 1B. But if he's still our CF, we're asking for trouble.

Junior can still rake, but he can no longer adequately field the position. If we can transition him to another position, fine. If not, he has to be moved, and we have to have someone waiting in the wings to patrol CF.

Everyone's building up Denorfia and he looks like the real deal. But I'd like to see him collect 250 ML at-bats before pronouncing him a long-term OF fixture. He should supersub as the fourth outfielder a good half-season or so before vanquishing Kearns, Dunn, Griffey or Freel.

If Freel is on the auction block, then this new regime is not thinking ahead. Womack, Phillips or Aurilia might between them be able to hold down 2B for awhile, but none of them will ever be an acceptable lead-off batter for the Reds or a possible replacement for Junior in CF, or someone who can get the fans jazzed the same way as Freel.

Yes, we have a logjam at 2B, but Freel belongs on the team, whether at 2B or elsewhere. He isn't dead wood to be cleared away. We need a table-setter, a catalyst for our powerful offense, and he's the obvious bird in hand. The brain trust isn't to be trusted if it can't recognize his talent or why we need a legitimate lead-off man.

Speaking for myself, I think that's a more important role to fill than having a designated closer. We don't have a clearcut closer, but we do have Freel. A cup half-filled is better than one that's empty.

[Royals Fan]

Another team to keep eye are the Twins with Tony Batisita at 3rd and Juan Castro at SS with outfield of Shannon Stewart ( who cant throw anymore ) and Torri Hunter ( Free agent aftr this year) and Mike Cuddyear as there outfield, Twins would be an legit canadiate to trade with. Krvisky know the Twins farm system and has a good working realtionship with Twins's GM Terry Ryan.

[lollipopcurve]

Another team to keep eye are the Twins with Tony Batisita at 3rd and Juan Castro at SS with outfield of Shannon Stewart ( who cant throw anymore ) and Torri Hunter ( Free agent aftr this year) and Mike Cuddyear as there outfield, Twins would be an legit canadiate to trade with. Krvisky know the Twins farm system and has a good working realtionship with Twins's GM Terry Ryan.

Excellent point -- the Twins also have Kubel in the OF, but, as you say, they are quite weak offensively, and with Hunter possibly leaving after this year, they could be on a slippery slope. As with the Arroyo trade, it looks to be a good match.

[Falls City Beer]

The Twins, by far, make the most sense as a trading partner. That offense sucks logs.

[Dunner44]

Trade Rich, not Ryan... please! Or a catcher.... Ross hasn't sucked, and made a really nice play on that bunt DP. I'd be fine loosing LaRue.

[Strikes Out Looking]

My guess is this: If the deal is Monday it will be Javier Valentin and either Aurilia or Womack for bullpen help. This gives us 2 catchers (Larue is activated on Monday) and eliminates the logjam at 2b.

[Royals Fan]

Twins Top Ten List from Baseball America

1 Francis Liriano
2 Kubel Jason
3 Moses Matt
4 Perkins Glen
5 Swarzak Anthony
6 Span Denard
7 Garza Matt
8 Rainville Jay
9 Plouffe Trevor
10 Waldrop Kyle


I know of Matt Moses and Liriano and Perkins only.

I also being in Kansas City, they big interst in Austin from the Royals end.

I might do an Andy Sisco and R Hernandez or JP Howell for Austin. Just starting point i would tell Allard Barid- Sisco has to be in center piece in any deals

[NatiRedGals]

On my game on my psp i traded milton straight up for joe garland LOL I couldnt believe it i was like now i can live with this hah. I dont think were gonna get anthor old bullpen arm though. Wayne has done much and he seems to watch his steps and if hes noticing how this bullpen is like a 3 out of 10 hes a smart guy and he knows whats hes doing so im hoping hes a new and improved aka SMART OWNER!

[puca]

I sure hope they don't trade Freel - they have no other decent option at leadoff. If they deal Kearns, I hope it is for a young starter, not a veteran middle reliever. I would much rather they kick Womack to the curb, move Dunn, Griffey or even Kearns to 1b and insert Freel somewhere in the OF. Give Phillips a go at 2b for his glove and hope his offense comes around.

I know the bullpen stinks, but it makes no sense for the Reds to target middle relievers in trades. This team is not a middle reliever away from contending. Decent middle relievers aren't that hard to find and really don't have much of a shelf life anyhow. Their are any number of AAA starting pitchers (even non-prospects) that would probably be decent major league relievers at least for a year or two. My suggestion is to look for AA/AAA pitchers that have quirky deliveries or one plus pitch that throw strikes. They make the best middle relievers.

[steig]

I can't see us trading Rich and getting any great value for him. He's on a one year contract and no other team really tried to sign him this off season. If we make a trade I want to see younger players or prospects coming to the team. I'm tired of the old players that will help us play .500 this year but give us nothing for the future when we need to win.