Reds at the deadline -- what should they do?

[Kc61]

A few days away, what are the real needs? Should the Reds trade major prospects? If you were GM, how would you handle the trade deadline this year?

I think the Reds need to add offense in the outfield and lefty bullpen depth. These are the areas I see.

I would trade major prospects for a real outfielder, somebody like Markakis perhaps. Alonso, Frazier, Francisco, Joseph, maybe Heisey, all would be possibilities for such a trade.

Reds should try to get Scott Downs or another good veteran lefty reliever. I think the Reds lack depth in this area and Bray is just off injury and may not be ready to be effective this year.

Views?

[Will M]

Oswalt doesn't seem to want to come to the Reds. Greinke likely isn't available. Other available starters don't seem much of an upgrade over what we have already.

I like the Scott Downs idea if he comes cheaply. He could be a trade & then extend guy.

I agree that a real thumper in a corner OF slot would help a lot. Lets say we could package Heisey & some prospects for a guy who could hit 5th (4th when Rolen is out). then Bruce & Gomes could share the other OF spot. a youngish guy would be fantastic. Werth would be just fine with me but as a rental i wouldn't overpay (ie no top prospects going to Philadelphia).

Thats about it. Guys are certainly available for a fairly low cost in prospects. Teams want to move payroll. The problem is that the Reds, despite a low payroll, probably don't want to add much more.

[OnBaseMachine]

Not sure what it would take to land them, but Jose Bautista and Scott Downs would look good in a Reds uniform.

[RedLegSuperStar]

I think we will see and hear some names we have yet to hear get moved or at least rumored. May not be with the Reds.. but they could swipe in and nab a player.

I too like the Scott Downs idea.. as long as it doesn't cost a lot.

I still would like to see a Hank Blalock or Jermaine Dye signing to bolster this bench.

A idea I might throw out there is Harang and Prospects to Toronto for Vernon Wells, Scott Downs, and Cash. Throw it at me... i'm prepared.

[RedEye]

Originally Posted by OnBaseMachine

Not sure what it would take to land them, but Jose Bautista and Scott Downs would look good in a Reds uniform.

I'm not buying the Bautista hype right now. Strikes me as the ultimate buy-high candidate. Not good IMO.

[RED VAN HOT]

I like the theme of picking up veteran players who are relatively inexpensive ex-Cardinals and have been through pennant races. I suspect that Edmonds could be added at a price WJ would be willing to pay. Edmonds seems like an intense guy who has something to prove. For the short run, this might be exactly what the Reds need.

On the Houston broadcast the other day Carmona was mentioned as someone that interested the Reds because of his favorable contract. I checked and there are a series of club options that mitigate club risk for player injury. On the other hand, if he stays healthy, exercising the options would be a bargain. The problem is that he is just as valuable to Cleveland for the same reasons. Their asking would be high, but it is worth exploring.

[PuffyPig]

Originally Posted by RedLegSuperStar

A idea I might throw out there is Harang and Prospects to Toronto for Vernon Wells, Scott Downs, and Cash. Throw it at me... i'm prepared.

Wells is owed $86M over the next 4 years (not including this one).

Nuff said.

[Will M]

OK. Here is what they should do:

1. Trade Heisey, Alonso & one other top minor leaguer to the Indians for Shin-Soo Choo. The only guys I wouldn't include in this deal are Chapman & Mes.
Heck I would even give them Homer Bailey. Why would Cleveland do this? Save some cash as Choo is entering his arb years. He is a free agent after 2013 & Boras is his agent. The Indians might get more now than by waiting & they certainly aren't going to be winning anything soon.
Choo bats in the heart of the order. Likely 5th behind Votto & Rolen.
Gomes & Bruce share the other OF corner.

2. trade a couple of lesser prospects for Scott Downs.

3. Blow past St Louis into the playoffs!

[cincrazy]

Originally Posted by Will M

OK. Here is what they should do:

1. Trade Heisey, Alonso & one other top minor leaguer to the Indians for Shin-Soo Choo. The only guys I wouldn't include in this deal are Chapman & Mes.
Heck I would even give them Homer Bailey. Why would Cleveland do this? Save some cash as Choo is entering his arb years. He is a free agent after 2013 & Boras is his agent. The Indians might get more now than by waiting & they certainly aren't going to be winning anything soon.
Choo bats in the heart of the order. Likely 5th behind Votto & Rolen.
Gomes & Bruce share the other OF corner.

2. trade a couple of lesser prospects for Scott Downs.

3. Blow past St Louis into the playoffs!

Something to keep in mind: Choo still has two years of military service in South Korea to serve. Makes acquiring him really tricky. No way I give up Heisey and Alonso, or anyone of substance in our system, for a guy who may miss two years rather soon.

[schroomytunes]

I'm on the fence right now but I think we need to make a push for the division, and if it means some prospects then we gotta do it. So here's my proposal.

Reds trade: Yonder Alonzo, Chris Valaika, Micah Owings and Sam LeCure

Cleveland trades: Fausto Carmona and Austin Kearns

Reds rotation:
1)Cueto
2)Arroyo
3)Carmona
4)Leake
5)Wood/Volquez

Harang becomes LR or swing man to spell Leake's innings.

[cincrazy]

Originally Posted by schroomytunes

I'm on the fence right now but I think we need to make a push for the division, and if it means some prospects then we gotta do it. So here's my proposal.

Reds trade: Yonder Alonzo, Chris Valaika, Micah Owings and Sam LeCure

Cleveland trades: Fausto Carmona and Austin Kearns

Reds rotation:
1)Cueto
2)Arroyo
3)Carmona
4)Leake
5)Wood/Volquez

Harang becomes LR or swing man to spell Leake's innings.

Although I would like to see the Reds make a run at Carmona (not so hot on Kearns, however), I wouldn't give up Alonso. Only way I give up an Alonso if for a Haren or Lee, and with both of those guys now off the market, I don't consider moving him. I don't think Carmona is enough of a difference-maker to justify giving up Alonso.

[Benihana]

I think that as another poster pointed out, Oswalt and Greinke are the only starters out there that would represent a true upgrade, and I don't think Greinke is going anywhere.

I'm not enamored with Scott Downs or Jose Bautista, especially given their current asking price. That said, I wouldn't be upset with Downs as long as we don't overpay- I HATE overpaying for relievers.

I still try to work something out with Houston. The money might make it tough, especially if Oswalt insists on his option being picked up, but the Reds definitely have the prospects to make it happen. More importantly, the Reds cannot afford to see Oswalt in a Cardinals uniform.

Alonso, Mesoraco, Frazier and Harang for Oswalt, Lindstrom, and Castro.

Astros get three top prospects, including two corner infield prospects and a catcher- three things they have reportedly been asking for from other teams. The Reds get their #1 starter, their relief help and a ML-ready catcher to complement Hanigan.

Harang helps partially offset the additional money owed to Oswalt, although the Reds could offer Cordero instead of Harang if the Astros prefer.

Regardless whether they do a deal like Houston, there are two things that I really want to see by Sunday:

1. The Reds make SOME kind of move that strengthens the team for the playoff push.
2. The Cardinals do NOT get Roy Oswalt.

[edabbs44]

Most probable guess would be bullpen help. Downs would be great, but I could see the Yanks ending up with him.

Carmona would be very interesting since he isn't just a rental. Would give Cincy a ton of flexibility this offseason.

[kaldaniels]

Originally Posted by cincrazy

Something to keep in mind: Choo still has two years of military service in South Korea to serve. Makes acquiring him really tricky. No way I give up Heisey and Alonso, or anyone of substance in our system, for a guy who may miss two years rather soon.

Say what? I'm not doubting you but who is going to deport Choo back to South Korea?

[Will M]

Originally Posted by Benihana

I think that as another poster pointed out, Oswalt and Greinke are the only starters out there that would represent a true upgrade, and I don't think Greinke is going anywhere.

I'm not enamored with Scott Downs or Jose Bautista, especially given their current asking price. That said, I wouldn't be upset with Downs as long as we don't overpay- I HATE overpaying for relievers.

I still try to work something out with Houston. The money might make it tough, especially if Oswalt insists on his option being picked up, but the Reds definitely have the prospects to make it happen. More importantly, the Reds cannot afford to see Oswalt in a Cardinals uniform.

Alonso, Mesoraco, Frazier and Harang for Oswalt, Lindstrom, and Castro.

Astros get three top prospects, including two corner infield prospects and a catcher- three things they have reportedly been asking for from other teams. The Reds get their #1 starter, their relief help and a ML-ready catcher to complement Hanigan.

Harang helps partially offset the additional money owed to Oswalt, although the Reds could offer Cordero instead of Harang if the Astros prefer.

Regardless whether they do a deal like Houston, there are two things that I really want to see by Sunday:

1. The Reds make SOME kind of move that strengthens the team for the playoff push.
2. The Cardinals do NOT get Roy Oswalt.

The idea of moving CORDERO as the salary traded for Oswalt is a great great idea. in fact i think its the greatest idea i have heard since my Choo trade.
The Reds would give up Mes but upgrade the rotation big time. Basically replace one of our many ok-good starters with a TOR arm. Even picking up his 2012 option becomes more palatable because we dump Cordero's terrible 2011 deal. this is a better deal than moving Harang as we save Cordero's 2011 salary vs just saving Harang's 2011 buyout.

#1 Alonso, Mesoraco, Frazier and Cordero for Oswalt, Lindstrom, and Castro.
#2 Get Downs. Use the closer by commitee between Rhodes, Downs, Lindstrom & Masset.
#3 the Reds could still add a power bat like Choo or Werth.