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Saturday, November 26, 2011

Rays: Good News, Reds Want Pitching For Yonder Alonso!

Look over Yonder what do you see
The Rays are a-risin’ most definitely

The Reds are in need of pitching, and the Rays have about 7 or 8 major league pitchers on the 40-man roster. Tampa Bay is likely to trade at least one this off season, so they are ready to meet Cincinnati’s needs. And the spark to this powder keg? According to Yahoo’s Tim Brown, Alonso is available if Cincinnati can land a No. 2 starter, naming Tampa Bay, Oakland, Toronto and Cleveland as suitors.

The Reds are likely demanding James Shields from Tampa Bay, but the Rays would be more likely to trade Wade David or Jeff Niemann and want to hold on to their ace. Either way, a trade is very possible if Alonso is truly available. Toronto and Cleveland have depth at first and likely aren’t desperate enough to shed top-tier arms for the young cuban, but Oakland could use as much help as they can get. The Reds could make a push for Trevor Cahill (who could be the younger Roy Halladay) or the oft-trade-rumored Gio Gonzalez, but neither are officially on the trading block.

This makes Tampa Bay the logical solution. A heap of young talented pitching and a gaping hole at first base, the Rays also love young and salary controllable players. It’s a match made in heaven. The final step could be for Rays VP Andrew Friedman to close the door before Oakland dumps everything on the table to make a push for Alonso.

Repoz Posted: November 26, 2011 at 01:23 AM | 14 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: rays, reds

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1. 33Boots Posted: November 26, 2011 at 04:08 AM (#4001101)

Lol, read the other day that Alonso is "way too much" to give up for Andrew Bailey. Not understanding why anybody would be particularly high on Alonso, given his minor league performance. Alonso hit one home run every 37 at bats. If he was a third baseman with a good glove I'd get why he'd be a hot commodity. As is, what's the difference between him and Brett Wallace? The Reds demanding James Shields for him? Can't imagine that's accurate, but it's ludicrous to even suggest. Hell, why would the A's give up Bailey for just Alonso?

2. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: November 26, 2011 at 04:54 AM (#4001128)

The Reds demanding James Shields for him? Can't imagine that's accurate, but it's ludicrous to even suggest.

I think they're talking Alonso as part of a package for Shields.

Probably include Yasmani Grandal (a top C prospect) who's blocked by Mesoroco.

3. vortex of dissipation Posted: November 26, 2011 at 05:03 AM (#4001131)

Wouldn't the Reds need to know whether they can lock up Joey Votto long term before they think about trading Alonso?

4. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: November 26, 2011 at 05:06 AM (#4001133)

Wouldn't the Reds need to know whether they can lock up Joey Votto long term before they think about trading Alonso?

They probably think fielding a winning team is critical to locking up Votto.

Alonso and Grandal are surplus to their current team. If they can convert them into a good SP, they have a real shot in the NL Central, esp. if Pujols and Fielder sign out-of-division.

5. hokieneer Posted: November 26, 2011 at 06:16 AM (#4001161)

I like all the names rumored to be heading to Cincinnati for Alonso.

6. HeavyHitter Posted: November 26, 2011 at 10:30 PM (#4001325)

Concur with #1 & #2. They've already got a better first baseman in Casey Kotchman, who gets the edge because of his glove. Neither one is a middle-of-the-order hitter. That's Andy Sonnanstine territory, not Shields territory, and if Friedman does this, my opinion of him will change completely. Wait a few years and Alonso wil be will be a minor league free agent. It's unbelievable how many people overreact to a SSS.

7. Misirlou's got a busy day, he's wearing a vest Posted: November 27, 2011 at 01:04 AM (#4001392)

Wait a few years and Alonso wil be will be a minor league free agent. It's unbelievable how many people overreact to a SSS.

Yeah. The Cubs had Alonso about 10 years ago when he was known as Roosevelt Brown.

8. Dan Posted: November 27, 2011 at 05:26 AM (#4001467)

Concur with #1 & #2. They've already got a better first baseman in Casey Kotchman, who gets the edge because of his glove. Neither one is a middle-of-the-order hitter. That's Andy Sonnanstine territory, not Shields territory, and if Friedman does this, my opinion of him will change completely. Wait a few years and Alonso wil be will be a minor league free agent. It's unbelievable how many people overreact to a SSS.

Even if you subscribe to the theory that Kotchman is better than Alonso (and I don't, one fluke year doesn't redeem 3 years of mediocre and worse performance), the Rays don't have Kotchman under contract. It's also pretty funny to say that Kotchman is any good and then laugh at people for overreacting to small samples.

9. Fancy Pants is braggadocious about his Handle Posted: November 27, 2011 at 06:29 AM (#4001506)

Yes. If Kotchman is the answer, you are asking the wrong question. Which isn't to say that I would approve of a Shields for Alonso deal... well I would, but I'm a Sox fan.

10. Davo Malvolio Posted: November 27, 2011 at 10:45 AM (#4001541)

Few trades make more sense for both teams this offseason than an Alonso for Shields swap.

11. Athletic Supporter leads the nation in drifters Posted: November 27, 2011 at 10:56 AM (#4001542)

The Reds could make a push for Trevor Cahill (who could be the younger Roy Halladay)

??????

I mean, I suppose anything is possible.

12. Sam M. Posted: November 27, 2011 at 03:36 PM (#4001567)

Wait a few years and Alonso wil be will be a minor league free agent.

I think this is massively wrong -- but I do agree nobody is going to trade Shields straight up for Alonso. Alonso is going to be an outstanding hitter, with vastly better command of the strike zone than the overwhelming majority of young hitters and the ability to hit to all fields. He's nobody's outfielder, but if you need a first baseman, and you are budget-conscious, Alonso would be a terrific acquisition. I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Rays find a fit in a deal for him, in the right package.

13. ValueArbitrageur Posted: November 27, 2011 at 08:55 PM (#4001702)

Alonso is going to be an outstanding hitter, with vastly better command of the strike zone than the overwhelming majority of young hitters and the ability to hit to all fields.

I thought we were talking about the Alonso who only OPSed .860 at age 24 in AAA (100 points lower than Hermidia )?

14. Sam M. Posted: November 27, 2011 at 10:46 PM (#4001754)

I thought we were talking about the Alonso who only OPSed .860 at age 24 in AAA (100 points lower than Hermidia )?

You mean the Hermida who has 2200+ major league PAs of experience to draw on as he faces minor league pitchers, and still didn't outhit Alonso by that much? The two of them this year here at Louisville:

Hermida: .319/.400/.524/.924
Alonso: .296/.374/.486/.860

If you think that undermines the case that Alonso is a strong hitting prospect, OK by me. As I said, I wouldn't trade Sheilds straight up for Alonso, but I'd sure like Alonso as a solid, cost-controlled piece of a reasonable package.

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Saturday, November 26, 2011

Rays: Good News, Reds Want Pitching For Yonder Alonso!

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