Signs of Reds OF Trade Mounting

More and more, it's looking like the Reds will deal one of their outfielders before the season begins.  First off, Jon Heyman's column from yesterday:

"Now that Scott Hatteberg has been signed for first base, the Reds might shop that extra outfielder they've been carrying for a while. They have Adam Dunn, Wily Mo Peña, Austin Kearns and Ken Griffey Jr., with Peña most likely to go for young pitching. Previous owner Carl Lindner rejected deals for Griffey (including one with the Cubs last year), but maybe new owner Rob Castellini will do the right thing."

I must say, I hadn't heard about that Cubs/Griffey offer before now.  Griffey to the White Sox, yes.  Anyway, Will Carroll also got in on the act today:

"Adam Dunn in left field? Who’s headed out of Cincinnati?"

I agree with Heyman - Wily Mo seems most likely to go.  But we should start with the Reds when figuring this one out.  The Reds need pitching.  Surprisingly, their rotation is actually already five-deep if Paul Wilson is able to take the hill.  The Reds won't put a timetable on his return.

Possible matches: Boston, Cleveland, Kansas City, Minnesota, Anaheim, Florida, and Los Angeles.  OK, that didn't exactly narrow it down.  But all these teams could use an outfielder and could probably come up with a youngster to get it done. 

Comments

[SteveH]

What about St. Louis for Marquis or a package of Wainwright & Lambert?

[Rob RUmfelt]

Tim:

How is it that just two posts ago you discuss the Cards need for a LFer but don't mention them as a potential trading partner with the Reds?

It seems like an obvious match to me. Thx.

[Blue]

I think you are reading too much into this. They will probably let Wily Mo play everyday and put up some massive numbers, and then trade him in July for a REAL pitcher.

[Kyle]

How about Willy Mo for Reyes ? Solves the cards outfield issue and gives the Reds a good young pitcher

[Erik]

I say Heilman & Zambrano for Dunn!!! Make it happen Minaya. Make it happen!

[Blue]

By the way, Dunn is back at 1B today.

[RumorMonger]

Rob - mainly because I don't see Marquis/Wainwright as what the Reds want for their OF.

[RMR]

You gotta love it. Wily Mo and Jr. are playing in the WBC and so when Dunn plays a few innings in LF to get Hatteberg some ABs, suddenly it's mounting evidence of a brewing trade.

Is this site supposed to be for trade rumors, or just mindless speculation along the lines of clueless ESPN commentators trying to get a raised eyebrow?

[Paul]

Dunn for Baker, Boof bonser, and one of our guys form A ball we have 5 that look pretty good down in Ft Myers. But the thing is dunn under contract for 10mil so a trade for willy mo would be more likely then we could move shannon at the deadline for propects and put Kubel in right willy mo in left bat Luis leadoff of course the Reds wouldn't get Three minor leaguers'for willy mo who's not a finished product maybe Glen perkins and another of our A ball 5 would do. But I really like Glen because I used to watch him pitch for the gophers and he in form the twins cities but I think that would be at least what it would take what do you think Monger?

[RumorMonger]

Wait...citing two articles about the Reds' clear desire to trade an OF is mindless speculation?

I dunno dude, looks like a trade rumor to me. If that post was beneath you then you shouldn't have read it.

[Mike Diviero]

How about Austin Kearns or Wily Mo Pena for Zack Greinke? Assuming he still wants to pitch and just wants out of KC, a change of scenery would do Greinke good.

[Sports Guy]

Think about it, Kearns to the O's for RLo and Javy...makes sense for all involved, IMO.

[Dave]

I'd trade Dusty Baker for Willy Mo...

[moore]

I could see the Dodgers and Reds trade Broxton,Brozaban and Choi for Dunn, Willaims and a player to be named,The Reds need a RTy and they need a closer and they could use Choi as back up at first

[BlueCrew]

Moore -I do think that the players in that deal seem reasonable, i dont think the Dodgers want to take on that much more payroll

[Sam Stevens]

Jim Bowden's surely going to try and throw something out there for bait. Bill Bray or Jason Bergmann for Wily Mo?

[RumorMonger]

Just doesn't seem like enough.

[Jman]

Murton, Sing, Marshall, Wellemeyer...Pipedream....pure pipedream.

[RMR]

"Wait...citing two articles about the Reds' clear desire to trade an OF is mindless speculation?

I dunno dude, looks like a trade rumor to me. If that post was beneath you then you shouldn't have read it."

I guess my definition of a rumor is different than yours. A rumor, to me, is a reference to events which you have some reason to believe might be taking place, and is in some way linked to information from an actual baseball team or player -- ideally somebody with gravitas.

Regurgitating speculation by other journalists about what the Reds should do based on such minor occurances is not reporting a rumor. It's reporting about other journalists opinions. Just like news stories who report on how news is being covered elsewhere. Nothing of real substance, just need something to post...

[RumorMonger]

Believe it or not, pal, some people come here to read the latest rumors whether I scooped them or not. If you're looking for 100% exclusives, you've come to the wrong site.

What exactly is the point of the several paragraphs you've written? That you don't like the way I run this free website and there aren't enough scoops for you? Then by all means stop reading it!

[RMR]

Sorry RumorMonger, obviously I came across as harsher than I intended. I appreciate the site quite a bit, as evidenced by the fact that I'm here and posting multiple comments of some length.

I don't expect you to get all the scoops and jumped on heavy with the criticism for this posting. Obviously when things are slow, I wouldn't expect you to just sit on your hands.

It's just frustrating when you read a headline about your team implying that something has changed/developed which merits attention, when in fact, it's just a summation of the journalistic activity surrounding the squad -- and nothing new at that.

I didn't mean to imply that there's not any value in those types of posts. Certainly there is. However, I guess I differentiate that type of news reporting from rumor reporting. That all said, it's certainly your site to do with as you will and I appreciate your efforts and insight.

[RumorMonger]

Alrighty then. You might have a point about the headline.

[The Truth will set you free]

I do concur with RMR's original statement. With Griffey & Pena off to the WBC, someone has to play LF in order to get Hatteburg into the game at 1B. To get Dunn some AB's, he's able to play a little LF. Those of you with crazy fantasies, Dunn is not going to be traded for prospects or fringe middle of the rotation pitchers. For that matter, neither will Kearns - as evidenced earlier this spring & Krivsky also has reiterated (for those who read the Cincinnati papers) that he's not looking to trade Kearns. Take the lineup to be what it was meant to be - Dunn to get some AB's in the same game as Hatteberg.

[Devlsh]

Seems a no-brainer. Soriano wants out of D.C. and Bowden has drooled over Mo Pena for ages.

Soriano (who is really a rental) and John Patterson to the Reds for a package of Pena, Eric Milton (the Reds own problem child who will undoubtedly improve on the ballpark factor alone) and a couple prospects along the lines of Travis Chick and Bobby Basham. Freel could move to the outfield until the Reds move Soriano somewhere around the trade deadline.
The new Reds owner can take the financial hit and the new GM gets the credit for snagging a quality starter in Patterson.

[tom]

I'd heard the Cubs were still interested in Soriano. Since dealing Soriano (or keeping him) would leave an OF hole for the Nats, and the Cubs still have a lot of young pitching, a 3-way deal would make sense, with Soriano to the Cubs, Pena to the Nats, and pitching (Jerome Williams?) to the Reds.

Just a thought.

[Ryan]

Devish: A very good idea, but the Reds already have a couple of guys battling for the starting 2B gig. Also, considering that Pena is going to be neck-and-neck with Soriano in regards to power numbers if healthy, and it really doesn't make sense for the Reds. Dumping Milton, on the other hand...

As for a Cards/Reds trade, Jocketty tends to not make intradivisional trades. Although Pena would give them the power they lack in LF, and a shot of youth, too...he's probably inquiring, if indeed Pena is available. For my money, though, I'd think Kearns might be on the way out, if one of their OFs is going. His salary isn't prohibitive to other teams, he has a world of potential, especially in regards to OBP, and most likely wouldn't cost an arm and a leg.

Erik: Don't you think the Mets have enough power on their team? Dunn does walk a lot, which helps the old OBP, but he also K's a ton and hasn't really shown the ability to hit for a high average. He's got a ton of potential, but don't you think Wright, Delgado, Beltran, Diaz, and Floyd will give you enough raw power?

[Darin]

If Dunn would be traded the Astros would be 1st in line. They love the guy and would give up Lane and whatever else (Chris Burke?) it took to get him. I don't agree with them on it, but they absolutely love the guy.

[Ed]

I think Pena to Washington for one of their beter pitching prospects (Balester?) would be a good move for both. Or Krvisky contacting his old boss for one of their pitching prospects (Waldrop/Perkins) for Kearns or Pena. The Reds are in no rush to trade any OF, b/c they aren't one pitcher away or even two pitchers away. And they want to add youth to their staff.

[Jack]

Whatever the Reds do, they shouldn't get rid of Austin Kearns. That guy is gonna break out big as soon as he can stay healthy.

[Jay]

Wow, This makes me laugh reading this article about this rumor. Narron said that Dunn will still get some playing time in the outfield to keep Hattiberg sharp and now a lot of rumors are flying just cause Dunn played in the outfield... hahaha.... I will say this, If someone is willing to give up a top of the line starter at the end of spring training then yes a deal will be made involving the Reds. Otherwise this is simply what it is a RUMOR. Yes there have been articles written about possible trades but honestly I truely believe that we won't see anything happen with a Reds outfielder until the end of Spring Training at the earliest. If not then. Look in June or July for something to happen especially if the Reds are in contention. I am praying every night that they can hang on til then at least.

[Jay]

I almost forgot, I highly dought the Reds will trade with the Cardnals at the start of the season either. Just does not make sense to help out a team you are in direct compition with.

[BlueCrew]

Dunn doesn't necessarily need to play LF to get Hatteberg AB's in the same game...especially during the WBC. NL home teams are allowed to decide to use DH's with the aprooval of the visiting team...and most teams are taking advantage of this new rule. I think that have Dunn play in LF is more a sign that a trade is in the works than anything else. It would make more sense to have the starter spend more time at a position (Dunn at 1B), even more so because he hasn't spent much time there in the past.

[Darin]

I think Dunn playing left field plus the fact that the Reds have tried to move all 4 outfielders in the past year (for a king's ransom)is enough to make me believe they're looking to trade one of them.

[cubfan]

dude cubs

BlueCrew & Darin - obviously you aren't Reds fans or follow the Reds or even LISTEN to what Jerry Narron (or Wayne Krivsky) are saying. You're making things up to fan the flames of a misguided story by some reporter who doesn't know the Reds at all. So, please read this excerpt from the Cincinnati Enquirer yesterday:

"DUNN IN LEFT: Adam Dunn made his first start of the spring in left field in Sunday's 7-5 loss to Tampa Bay.

Could we see some of that in the regular season?

"I've got to do whatever I can to keep Scott Hatteberg sharp," Narron said.

That would mean Dunn playing left; Hatteberg only plays first.

Hatteberg also gives the Reds a different look offensively.

"He's an on-base guy who gives you good at-bats," Narron said.

Left fielder Wily Mo Peña isn't an on-base guy, and he doesn't always give you good at-bats. But he does have awesome power.

Narron says Dunn is OK with playing first and the outfield."

[Darin]

doesn't take away from the fact that Cincy has tried to trade all 4 outfielders at sometime in the past year

[Ed]

But since they traded Casey, they lessened the need to trade an OF.

[Darin]

Ed, your probably right, but this team sorely lacks pitching, and still has a surplus of outfielders.

[Kyle S]

Braves trade John Thompson, Chuck James,Kelly Johnson, and a prospect(probably a pitcher) to Cincy for AdamDunn and maybe a prospect or cash

[Ed]

I have a feeling Dunn won't be going anywhere. If they trade Dunn, the Reds are one Griffey hamstring tear from having a pathetic offense. Kearns or Pena would be the ones to go. Then Freel moves to the OF and Aurilia moves to 2nd. And, if anyone wants to throw trade offers out there, let's get real for Dunn. 26 years old and 158 chemical-free HRs. If you want a legitimate 26 year old cleanup hitter who is a few years from his prime and almost a lock (barring injury) for 600 HRs, we better start talking top notch pitching prospects. I think it would take a potential #1 starter, a younger pitcher with MLB experience and another mid-level minor league position player.

[Sam Stevens]

I'm with Devlsh and Tom: a three way trade that sends Soriano to the Cubs, they send the Reds some pitching, and Bowden gets his man in Pena.

[Darin]

Ed, I agree with you 100%. Griffey should be the one to go, as he could net a decent pitcher, and he won't be relevant by the time the Reds are.

[Ed]

I'm still upset that Griffey wasn't traded to the White Sox last year. If I had to choose btw Pena and Kearns, I would deal Pena. I still think Florida would be a great place to deal him. If they really want Gathright for Olsen, you would think Pena would make more sense.

[The Truth will set you free]

Darin,

The Reds have not TRIED to trade all 4 OF in the past year. That statement is inaccurate. Have the Reds RECEIVED offers for them? Yes. The Indians offered Westbrook for Kearns, Reds turned down. Other teams have made offers, Reds have turned them down. No where have the Reds been the ones actively trying to move those 4 outfielders. The only player they were actively trying to trade was Sean Casey.

The Cubs have offered Mark Prior in a trade in the past year. By your reasoning, we should be hearing about a Mark Prior trade in Spring Training because they've offered him within the past year.

You have bad logic & no understanding of what the Reds as an organization are about.

[Darin]

You have bad logic & no understanding of what the Reds as an organization are about.

Bad logic maybe, but I completely understand what the Reds are all about.....

[astrosfan]

Adam Dunn isn't going anywhere, he just signed a 3 year deal a few weeks ago, and both he and Reds management were quoted on him not being available in any trade.

Which is a shame cause a lot of us Astros fans would love to have him play at home in Houston

[RMR]

For what it's worth in the Dunn trade department, the third year of his deal is a team option but is nullified if he's traded.

Pena is probably the most likely of the 4 to be traded, but his trade value is nowhere near his true potential, so a ST deal doesn't seem likely to me.

I like the Cubs/Nats/Reds ideas generally speaking however.

[David]

What about..
Pena/Milton to the Nationals
Soriano to the Cubs
Pitching prospects from both teams to the Reds.

[Devlsh]

The people who are pushing for a 3-way deal with Soriano going to the Cubs vs. the Reds seem to be overlooking the fact the Cubs have even more second base candidates than Cincinnati. Todd Walker, Hairston, Neifi Perez....

[anthony]

if im the red sox, im making a big push for adam dunn. its obviously time to start thinking about life after manny, and dunn seems like the guy to get to replace some of his production. aquiring dunn also puts you in a better position to trade manny, because you dont need to get power in return, although a righty power bat(perhaps a right fielder?) would probably be needed to split up ortiz and dunn. and until you trade manny, you have one of the craziest 3-4-5 combos in recent history.

in the case of dunn, and only in the case of dunn (or maybe miguel cabrerra or something like that), i think the red sox would give jon lester up.

[RedSoxNut63]

The Red Sox are not giving up Jon Lester for anyone,I don't know where you get your info but it is all wrong.Lester will start the season at AAA Pawtucket and bye mid season will be in Boston.

[RedSoxNut63]

Now there is a possibility they could trade Bronson Arroyo bbefore the season starts.

[anthony]

im not getting my info anywhere, i just think the idea that the red sox are overvaluing their pitching prospect to the point that they would avoid getting a player like dunn is a little bit unbelievable. now, im not saying that the red sox will just give lester away, there are maybe a handful of guys that lester would be available for, and i would bet that dunn is one of them, he fits teh organizational philosophy (as i understand it) to a T

i dont rule out arroyo being used in a deal for dunn, who is, in my opinion, the only reds OF the red sox would be looking at for this year, but theyd have to give up alot more in order to land dunn. arroyo, youkilis, and a pitching prospect (abe alvarez? cla meredith? manny delcarmen?) sounds like a good starting point to me.