The Reds’ interest in the Cuban infielder Alexander Guerrero — even though Walt Jocketty says they’re unlikely to sign Guerrero — is the strongest indication that the club will try to trade Brandon Phillips.

 

Guerrero projects as a second baseman. He reportedly agreed to a seven-year, $32 million deal with the Dodgers in July, but the contract was nixed because he had not been cleared by U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control. He’s since been cleared. He’s likely to get that kind of money.

 

Scouts say Guerrero, who played shortstop in Cuba, projects as a second baseman. The Reds aren’t going to pay $4.5 million a year for a backup.

 

It could be that the Reds were looking at Guerrero as a shortstop and backed off when their scouts decided he could not play there.

 

But it’s more likely that they saw him as a replacement for Phillips.

 

Phillips ticked off a lot of people in the organization with his behavior this year. Bob Castellini was the driving force behind Phillips signing. Phillips basically called Castellini a liar in the Cincinnati Magazine article. Here’s the quote:

 

“To this day, I’m still hurt. Well, I don’t wanna say hurt. I’ll say scarred. I’m still scarred. It just sucks that it happened. For [Castellini] to sign somebody for $200 million, there must be a new vegetable or fruit coming out that we don’t know about. For him to do something like that and tell me they didn’t have any more money, that’s a lie. But what can I do? I just feel like it was a slap in my face.”

 

Phillips slapped the wrong guy in the face by saying that.

 

 

John Fay?s Wednesday Wanderings | Cincinnati Reds

The Reds can win without Phillips at 2B. They won't find one better defensively but could upgrade offensively, although I'm unsure if any offensive upgrade is in their grasp.

 

In my opinion, Phillips will go somewhere else and have a monster year offensively.

If it would free up money to resign Choo, I think they should. Phillips is so overrated. Cardinals put a converted corner infielder at 2nd base this year and won 97 games.

 

This lineup is so strikeout prone from 2-6 and people wonder why they can't do the little things and score leadoff doubles, etc. I would trade him if you can find the right deal.

With or without Phillips they will be the third best team in the division next year. St. Louis and Pittsburgh are not going away. If Bronson goes, the Reds only have 5 starters and that includes Cueto and Cingrani pitching a full year and Leake, Latos, and Bailey not regressing. Add in the possibility of Choo being gone and 3rd and a wildcard might be the absolute ceiling.

It all depends what they can get. I would package Phillips and Bailey or Chapman if I could get a real power hitter like Stanton and a good prospect. They have enough pitching with Cueto, Latos, Leake, Cingrani, and Bailey or Chapman starting. They will probably use Hoover or Broxton as the closer in this scenario, not Chapman but good enough.

Need to get value back for him and not let him go for a song. He is a proven player and there are several teams that could use him.

 

I'd like to get at least one proven player preferably a 3B with some punch in their bat and a decent replacement for Philips.

Need to get value back for him and not let him go for a song. He is a proven player and there are several teams that could use him.

 

I'd like to get at least one proven player preferably a 3B with some punch in their bat and a decent replacement for Philips.

If you get someone to eat the contract there is very little chance they give up something of value in return. If you are looking for 2 MLB ready infielders, you will be quite upset if he does get traded...

If you get someone to eat the contract there is very little chance they give up something of value in return. If you are looking for 2 MLB ready infielders, you will be quite upset if he does get traded...

 

That's what I'd LIKE to get. I do think there is still some value in him that some of the bigger $$$ teams could use. Reds my get back a tough contract in place of his but if they could get a productive player and a prospect it would be worth trading bad contract for bad contract.

They won't be able to get above average MLB players in the trade for Dat Dude but you could with Homer and/or Chapman. BP trade can clear up money and maybe potential clubhouse problem.

I saw something about a Cuban 2B the Reds are supposedly interested in. He signed a huge contract with the Dodgers(?) but had issues with getting into the country. Those are now resolved and he is supposedly ready for the majors now. I think he might be 26.

Trade BP for prospects. Trade a guy like Bailey to get some more minor league depth. Try to spend the money you save from those 2 on Infante and Choo.

That's what I'd LIKE to get. I do think there is still some value in him that some of the bigger $$$ teams could use. Reds my get back a tough contract in place of his but if they could get a productive player and a prospect it would be worth trading bad contract for bad contract.

 

BP for Andre Eithier?

I saw something about a Cuban 2B the Reds are supposedly interested in. He signed a huge contract with the Dodgers(?) but had issues with getting into the country. Those are now resolved and he is supposedly ready for the majors now. I think he might be 26.

 

Found the article. Walt says the Reds are "unlikely" to sign him.

 

Dusty was unlikely to lose his job on the day after the playoff loss according to Walt so...FWIW.

It all depends what they can get. I would package Phillips and Bailey or Chapman if I could get a real power hitter like Stanton and a good prospect. They have enough pitching with Cueto, Latos, Leake, Cingrani, and Bailey or Chapman starting. They will probably use Hoover or Broxton as the closer in this scenario, not Chapman but good enough.

 

You're not going to get the Marlins to take on payroll to give up Stanton. He is easy cheaper and under team control. If you want him any Reds package would start with Cingrani and Hamilton.

You're not going to get the Marlins to take on payroll to give up Stanton. He is easy cheaper and under team control. If you want him any Reds package would start with Cingrani and Hamilton.

 

I'd give up Chapman for Stanton. Seemed like it made since mid season before Broxton got hurt.