The Reds have “kicked the tires” on Denard Span, but have yet to have substantial talks with the Twins, a source with knowledge of the team’s thinking told Ken Rosenthal of the FOX Sports. Cincinnati had scouts with an eye on the outfielder for the Twins' series against the White Sox.
However, Rosenthal opines that potential free agents Shane Victorino and Juan Pierre are probably are more realistic targets for the Reds as they look for a leadoff hitter. Meanwhile, Span's affordable contract could make his asking price higher than it would be for a rental. The 28-year-old will make $3MM this season, $4.75MM in 2013, and $6.5MM in 2014, with a $9MM club option for ’15.
If the Reds do decide to make a run at Span, they could use left-hander Tony Cingrani to entice the Twins, who are in need of young pitching.
I have to agree with Rosenthal … I think the Twins asking price will be higher than the Reds will want to pay. But he’d sure look good in a Cincy uniform
The Reds aren’t moving Cingrani. So if that’s what it takes, no chance at a deal. The Reds have two untouchables Cingrani is one of the two.
Hamilton, Cingrani and Corcino. You might throw in Stephenson too.
Don’t forget Joey Votto and the rights to the Big Red Machine’s WS titles.
make it happen jocketty
No way he reds will trade cingrani hes one of the reds best arm in the minor leagues plus he lefthanded
I’d love to see Span as a Red!
Span or Juan Pierre, both are great leadoff hitters, Pierre is a better base stealer, but both hit over 300, which is better than any leadoff hitter we’ve put in the lineup thus far, except for BP.
If Pierre is such a “great leadoff hitter” then why didnt anyone want to sign him in the offseason?
He is not a great leadoff hitter but he is better than anything the Reds have used. though Stubbs is showing some signs of life since Votto went down.
Billy Hamilton
You’re dreaming.
Can i up your comment a thousand times?
I would give up Cingrani and Did for Span! Get it done Walt!
No way. He’s an upgrade sure, but you don’t give up your best arm for him. Didi is a possibility but not with Cingrani.
Twins could use Didi but they’re so thin on pitching. Any deal for Span will be for arms.
key word “arms”
OK Lotzark, McMyne and Didi
Are you saying that Span is not a leadoff hitter? He’s not your big time base stealer but he takes as many or more quality ABs as any leadoff hitter in the American league..
No one said Span wasn’t a leadoff hitter, just that it’s less likely the Reds would give what it would take to acquire him.
Sorry, my reading comprehension r not the best sometimes. For some reason I thought it read “Victorino and Pierre would be more realistic targets as they are looking for a leadoff hitter.”
No Billy Hamilton or Tony Cingrani, but we’ll give up Stubbs, Gregorious and Xavier Paul, let’s get it done!
I like how you are trying to trade Paul, the guy that was just signed, like he is worth something to the twins.
I really don’t think any of the guys I mentioned are worth anything to any team, but that’s my opinion… Gregorious is the most valuable of the 3 I mentioned.
Cingrani is worth the most of the three by far.
Reading comprehension.
My bad, you’re right I read it wrong.
It happens.
Why would the Twins have any interest in Stubbs or Paul?
They wouldn’t. They need pitching.
After the last two nights I can think of a team or two that would be interested in Stubbs.
I’m not worried about the Twins end of the deal obviously…
The 3 down voters think I should care about the Twins end of the deal? Or they’re lame…
Wow, so you’ll give up nothing for a guy on pace for a 4.5-5.0 WAR season (after putting up a 2.5 WAR last year in 70 games). Mighty sporting of you.
Span for Stephenson, Cozart and Crabbe
Your joking. Why would the Reds trade there are starting ss in the middle of a pennat race?
what about JC Sulbaran? Cingani or Sulbaran would be good for the Twins.. get it done TR
Just trade him already Terry. No point in holding back any longer, so let’s trade him before he gets injured like Matt Capps and loses all his value.
I would be ok if the reds would include heisey in a deal for span with a pitcher as long its not cingrani
If we go on the assumption Cingrani & Hamilton are the Reds untouchables and that the Twins want pitching then we’re looking at some combo package of:
Corcino, Lotzkar, Joseph, Sulbaran, Hoover, and Villareal
I think the Pirates have given up on their quest for Victorino, because they just called up Marte and sent down Even Meek.
I could see Lotzkar and either Stubbs or Heisey making this deal. I’d rather keep Heisey honestly, despite Stubbs’ performance over the past few days. He could be turning the corner, sure, but if we picked up Span, we’d have a log jam out there with Heisey, Stubbs, Ludwick all fighting for playing time in LF and CF, 4 guys for 2 spots.
Might make sense for the Reds but the Twins are unlikely to have great interest in either.
Why not Dexter Fowler? Seems like the Rox might be more reasonable/flexible trading partners.
good lord I do not get the Cingrani love. He has 2 good pitches and neither are really dominating. If Cingrani got us Span I would be okay because of the length of the contract. Robert Stephenson is gonna be ready sooner rather than later. We have no outfield bats even remotely close to the big league club and that is what we need.
As long as Corcino is still here I am good with trading Cingrani or Lotzark
Have you looked at his numbers? 1.66 career minors ERA, 162 IP, 110 hits, 210 strikeouts. 0.912 WHIP. And this is at three different stops (Rookie, A+, AA). If that’s not dominant, I don’t know what is.
He’s a nice pitcher but minor league numbers aren’t the end all/be all. His strike out rates are nice but everyone in Pensacola has good strike out rates. John Sickels updated his midseason top 100 and had Cingrini #94. He’s still working on finding a third pitch. His upside is that of a solid #3 starter but he could very easily end up back in the pen if he remains a two-pitch pitcher.
The Twins have filled their rotation with 3-4-5 starters for years, sounds like a fit to me.
I also wonder what it would take to pry away Dexter Fowler from the Rockies. If the Reds are all-in for the next 3 years, he makes the most sense out of any CF/leadoff hitter as he is still under team control for the next two years.
Unlike Span, who can be controlled for the next three years.
The Twins are in need of young everything.