The Reds like Span, but at what price?
Cam Bonifay and Mike Squires, two special assistants to Cincinnati Reds GM Walt Jocketty, were in Chicago this week for the White Sox-Minnesota Twins series.
It’s doubtful that Bonifay and Squires were scouting the White Sox, who are buyers, not sellers.
It’s also doubtful that the Reds wanted to see Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano; the Cincinnati rotation is one of the best in the National League.
No, the likely object of attention for the Reds was Twins center fielder Denard Span, who would be a perfect fit at the top of their batting order.
The Reds indeed have “kicked the tires” on Span, but have yet to enter formal discussions with the Twins, according to a source with knowledge of the team’s thinking.
The Phillies’ Shane Victorino and Juan Pierre, both potential free agents, probably are more realistic targets for the Reds as they seek to add a leadoff man.
Span, 28, is signed to such an affordable long-term contract, the acquisition cost for him would be much greater than it would be for a two-month rental.
The Detroit Tigers this week parted with a solid prospect package — right-hander Jacob Turner, catcher Rob Brantly and left-hander Brian Flynn — for right-hander Anibal Sanchez, a potential free agent, and infielder Omar Infante, who only is signed through 2013.
Span — who is guaranteed $3 million this season, $4.75 million next season and $6.5 million in 2014, with a $9 million club option for ’15 — presumably would come at a higher price.
Another coveted Twin, left fielder Josh Willingham, will be difficult to acquire for the same reason; the Twins signed him to a three-year, $21 million free-agent contract last offseason.
On the other hand, the Twins badly want to add young starting pitching — and the Reds presumably could build a package for Span around left-hander Tony Cingrani, who is a combined 10-3 with a 1.62 at Single A and Double A this season.
The reality, however, is that it would take far more than Cingrani to land Span. A potential free agent such as Victorino or Pierre still looks more logical for the Reds.
— Ken Rosenthal
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I agree, Ken, in the fact that acquiring Victorino or Pierre would be better on paper for the Red-legs and would take much less prospects to land them, I think in the long run it would be better to acquire Mr. Span. It could give them a great bat off the bench and another burner on the bases as well as being someone who could fill an everyday role in the outfield if needed. It's great to have good young pitching prospects, but the Reds aren't necessarily in need of grooming young pitching prospects, their rotation is one of the best in the N.L and all of them shy of Arroyo(who will be phased out of the rotation after next year, I think) is younger than 27. So for me, I would gladly give up maybe 1 really good pitching prospect, such as Tony Cingrani, along with 2 other decent prospects to land a player that could potentially push them over the top offensively and get them their first World Series berth since '90.
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Give them the pitcher Tony Cingrani and throw in Drew Stubbs for good measure
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In my opinion, I couldn't see giving up Stubbs for Denard Span(they are almost the same exact type of player.. Speedy and a contact hitter). Minnesota is in some desperate need of young pitching as well, so I think the perfect package to send to acquire Denard Span would be J.J Hoover(a promising pitcher who could be a reliever in the big leagues right now)and Tony Cingrani(fantastic young fella that's mowing down Double-A Chattanooga right now with an ERA under 2.00). I believe that if propositioned with that trade, Minnesota would jump at the chance to grab those two.
