Royals interested in Bruce?

[OnBaseMachine]

Why in the world would the Reds trade DeSclafani? Last time I checked, Reds need pitching.

Verdugo is a must. I would ask for either Barnes, Bellinger, or Sterling Heredia as the second piece.

[Guacarock]

Please, no more fleas. The Reds have Hamilton and Peraza and Johnson isn't an upgrade over either of them. I'd rather have an international slot instead of Johnson. The Dodgers really can't use them this year.

I'm not opposed to the Reds grabbing Verdugo and Barnes at all. But I do think Verdugo is the main prize and, if that's so, the Dodgers in surrendering him might not be so inclined to also give up Barnes. That's why I raised Johnson as an alternative, because Dodgers might decide he's expendable given the fact they will also have Calhoun ready to bring up soon. Personally, I don't think Calhoun will stick at 2B, but that's the Dodgers' problem to sort out.

Either trade -- Verdugo-Barnes or Verdugo-Johnson -- would make more sense for the Reds than what we are likely to get off the Giants, so it definitely makes sense to be courting the Dodgers. As always, they have the pitching to go all the way, but their offense isn't delivering at all in the kind of way they could expect for the balance of 2016 with Bruce on board.

[sdwagers]

I'd say no on dealing any starters. Finnegan and Lamb haven't exactly established themselves, Iglesias may be limited to the pen and Stephenson can't throw strikes.

Disagree on Finny... He's proven he can start. Lamb not yet...

Lamb has LA connections and may be preferred on Cingrani if LA wants a LHP.

[sdwagers]

I'm not opposed to the Reds grabbing Verdugo and Barnes at all. But I do think Verdugo is the main prize and, if that's so, the Dodgers in surrendering him might not be so inclined to also give up Barnes. That's why I raised Johnson as an alternative, because Dodgers might decide he's expendable given the fact they will also have
Calhoun ready to bring up soon. Personally, I don't think Calhoun will stick at 2B, but that's the Dodgers' problem to sort out.

Either trade -- Verdugo-Barnes or Verdugo-Johnson -- would make more sense for the Reds than what we are likely to get off the Giants, so it definitely makes sense to be courting the Dodgers. As always, they have the pitching to go all the way, but their offense isn't delivering at all in the kind of way they could expect for the balance of 2016 with Bruce on board.

Calhoun is a corner OFer I think for the future.

Verdugo was the desired guy when Frazier left in the three way trade with LA and CWS.... He's a coveted bat...
Bruce just hit HR 17 - so his price is high as ever.

[mth123]

Disagree on Finny... He's proven he can start. Lamb not yet...

Lamb has LA connections and may be preferred on Cingrani if LA wants a LHP.

1.52 K:BB ratio. 4.90 FIP. Finnegan shouldn't be written in ink. Not sure he's one of the best 5 even if Iglesias stays in the pen and Bailey is shipped off ASAP.

[mth123]

I'm not opposed to the Reds grabbing Verdugo and Barnes at all. But I do think Verdugo is the main prize and, if that's so, the Dodgers in surrendering him might not be so inclined to also give up Barnes. That's why I raised Johnson as an alternative, because Dodgers might decide he's expendable given the fact they will also have Calhoun ready to bring up soon. Personally, I don't think Calhoun will stick at 2B, but that's the Dodgers' problem to sort out.

Either trade -- Verdugo-Barnes or Verdugo-Johnson -- would make more sense for the Reds than what we are likely to get off the Giants, so it definitely makes sense to be courting the Dodgers. As always, they have the pitching to go all the way, but their offense isn't delivering at all in the kind of way they could expect for the balance of 2016 with Bruce on board.

Again, no interest in Johnson. I'd rather have international slots along with Verdugo or Barnes before subbing Johnson.

[sdwagers]

Again, no interest in Johnson. I'd rather have international slots along with Verdugo or Barnes before subbing Johnson.

Micah Johnson is a Jose Peraza / Billy Hamilton wannabe. No thanks. Calhoun and Barnes are the only other guys I consider for LA.

[sdwagers]

1.52 K:BB ratio. 4.90 FIP. Finnegan shouldn't be written in ink. Not sure he's one of the best 5 even if Iglesias stays in the pen and Bailey is shipped off ASAP.

Walks and HRs have hurt Finny for sure.... I think he's pressing

[WrongVerb]

Walks and HRs have hurt Finny for sure.... I think he's pressing

I think just the opposite. I think he's in the stages of learning to pitch successfully in the majors. That means ups and downs that are going to skew the numbers somewhat. But he's trending in the right direction (unlike Straily).

[Guacarock]

Again, no interest in Johnson. I'd rather have international slots along with Verdugo or Barnes before subbing Johnson.

Got it. And I'm not that opposed to your viewpoint. I just see Verdugo as the key to a trade, and Barnes or Johnson as secondary pieces -- Barnes if we're uncertain whether Mesoraco will return in good shape; Johnson if we want to limit Phillips' plate appearances next season. I guess I have seen as much of the eroding Phillips as I want. But then again, it's doubtful Mesoraco will ever be the same again, either. So either variation has some merit, in my book.

[Kc61]

Walks and HRs have hurt Finny for sure.... I think he's pressing

Maybe in May.

But Finnegan has had a strong June, which is very encouraging for a 23 year old pitcher. We've seen other guys slump and just go downhill.

I'm confident that, if healthy, Finnegan will be in the Opening Day rotation next year. Hard to project long term with trades, etc., but I think he's done well.

[Kc61]

Got it. And I'm not that opposed to your viewpoint. I just see Verdugo as the key to a trade, and Barnes or Johnson as secondary pieces -- Barnes if we're uncertain whether Mesoraco will return in good shape; Johnson if we want to limit Phillips' plate appearances next season. I guess I have seen as much of the eroding Phillips as I want. But then again, it's doubtful Mesoraco will ever be the same again, either. So either variation has some merit, in my book.

If the Reds get Verdugo, I wouldn't expect too much of a secondary piece.

The salary dump is a huge part of this, and a top ten Dodgers prospect is going to be the main return.

Later down the top 30 list there are several nice pitching prospects, and that would be ok for a second player.

[sdwagers]

Verdugo- "Offensively, you're going to have your ups and downs. Defensively, you can go out every day and give it your all. When you throw a guy out at any base, pitchers love it. I take pride in that."

.... Cincy fans will eat that up.....

[corkedbat]

I still haven't changed my mind on the Reds dealing Bruce - it needs to happen, but I'm coming around to keeping him around unless thy get their price - and that price is rising. Before the season, I would have been ecstatic if you'd told me they could get one solid "B" level prospect. Now I'd be disappointed if the settle for less than two and we're fast approaching an "A").

Dodgers - they need to send two of their ten best prospects above A ball. I agree that Verdugo must be one and I'd actually ask for Grant Holmes as the second. When they say no, I'd be OK with Montas, Bellinger, Barnes or Cotton. I'd also be willing to add a secondary piece for Holmes or two of the last group.

Indians - I really hold out for Frazier or Zimmer, but I might take Tyler Naquin and a second prospect (but it would have to be a very good one). I'd add a kicker for Frazier/Zimmer.

Red Sox - Andrew Benintendi or Yoan Moncada - that's it. I might even overpay and include Stephenson with Bruce for one of them, but that's the price.

Mets - Brandon Nimmo or Michael Conforto and Gavin Cecchini (the Reds throwing in piece)

Royals - Three from among Kyle Zimmer, Bubba Starling, Hunter Dozier, Jorge Bonifacio or Ryan O'Hearn (I might throw in a small sweetener fif Zimmer is included).

Giants - Christian Arroyo is a must, plus one of Tyler Beede, Mac Williamson or Andrew Susac

White Sox - Tim Anderson and Adam Engel (Meh)

Rays - Mike Mahook or Willie Adames plus another piece

Texas - Lewis Brinson and Jurickson Profar (the Reds thow in another player).

Blue Jays - Dalton Pompey and Richard Urena. (Meh)

The Angels, Tigers & Orioles - don't have enough in the upper levels of their entire systems to interest me.

I might take a little less in a couple of cases or sweeten a bit in others, but the above would be what it would take to move Jay now.

[corkedbat]

nm