Tired of thinking about top-of-the-order OBP of Corey Patterson, Willy Taveras, Orlando Cabrera, Edgar Renteria, Drew Stubbs, Zack Cozart?
Then turn your attention to the market the Reds now face if they are considering acquiring an OF at the trade deadline. A new post at MLB Trade Rumors systematically outlines the players available.
The most interesting person to me on MLBTR’s list is Alex Rios of the Chicago White Sox. He’s signed through 2014 with a team option for 2015. He makes $12.5 million this year and next. The 32-year-old Rios is hitting .278/.333/.442 this season and hit .304/.334/.516 in 2012 with 25 home runs and 23 stolen bases. He could hit second or fourth in the Reds’ lineup.
Rios is known as an excellent defensive RF and has extensive experience in CF, where he played most of the 2011 and 2010 seasons for the South Siders. In a world where Dusty Baker wasn’t protecting Shin-Soo Choo’s market value and ego, Rios could play CF and Ludwick in LF on days the Reds faced a left-handed starting pitcher.
The acquisition of Giancarlo Stanton, assuming the Marlins would trade him, would be tremendously expensive in terms of prospects. Andre Ethier (Dodgers) is the wrong side of the platoon split. Alfonso Soriano (stupid Cubs) would arrive with an $18 million contract for 2014. I’m not crazy about his defense, either.
The other available healthy players wouldn’t move the needle much. A few of the targets that until recently would have been considered prime — Josh Willingham, Michael Morse, David DeJesus — are injured. Lucas Duda (Mets) is left-handed.
Alex Rios anyone?