Reds Notes, No Transactions

No additional Reds roster transactions have been announced yet, but we have more stories on the Reds payroll situation, and player notes on Chris Heisey and Brandon Phillips.

• While mlbtraderumors.com continues to speculate on Reds trade rumors without any new sources, Fox Sports blogged that the Reds intentions are not to cut payroll, but “free up dollars and create flexibility for other moves”.
  

  Thus, everyone on their roster is available except first baseman Joey Votto, outfielder Jay Bruce and third baseman Scott Rolen, according to one source with knowledge of the club’s thinking.

  The team’s highest-priced players — closer Francisco Cordero, second baseman Brandon Phillips and right-handers Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo — all are in play.

• BaseballAmerica devoted some space to Chris Heisey in their Thursday AFL Notebook.
  

  He’s played all three outfield spots for the Peoria Saguaros and hit .320/.400/.667 with five home runs in 85 plate appearances.

  “I think he’s just gaining confidence and I think he believes he’s a major league player,” said Saguaros manager David Bell, who also managed Heisey this year at Double-A Carolina. “I think he’s going to create that opportunity for himself.

  “He can do so many things—he’s such a well-rounded player. There’s not anything that he can’t do, and he does a lot of things very well. I think this league has been good for him. It’s given him a little more time to just gain that confidence.”

  An anonymous scouts says:

  “He gets out a little on his front side, but he has such good hands, especially on the inner half,” said one scout. “He’s got solid-average tools across the board. I don’t see any major weaknesses and or any great pluses. For me, he might be a fourth outfielder who plays as an occasional starter. He’s really surprised me.”

• NL Gold Glove Awards were announced Wednesday. Brandon Phillips was beaten by Orlando Hudson again, the second time in the past three seasons. I think the behavior that led to the pretzel article hurt Brandon’s chances to win a Gold Glove Award.