O'Brien will be shopping for deals

[missionhockey21]

O'Brien will be shopping for deals
By Marc Lancaster
Post staff reporter

PHOENIX - It isn't quite the same as the winter meetings when it comes to laying the groundwork for deals, but there will be an element of hot-stove activity during All-Star Game festivities this week.

Reds general manager Dan O'Brien will be in Detroit, and he'll be listening. With his team in last place and a few marketable players on hand, it only makes sense to do so.

"We're certainly going to at least be open-minded about, if there is interest in a veteran or two, us considering that possibility," O'Brien said.

That doesn't mean the Reds will make a deal this week. More likely, they'll see what's out there and finalize something closer to the July 30 non-waiver trading deadline.

Only one Reds player is all but guaranteed to be gone by then - third baseman Joe Randa. He has an affordable ($2.15 million) one-year deal and has been perhaps the most consistent all-around contributor for the Reds this season. The Reds should be able to get a young pitcher or two in return for Randa and probably will.

O'Brien's real dilemma is deciding whether or not to move one of his three young outfielders, Adam Dunn, Wily Mo Pena or Austin Kearns.

He steadfastly resisted overtures to do so last offseason, saying he felt the outfield corps was a position of strength for the Reds. Even now, with all three of those players' names circulating like mad in the rumor mill, O'Brien insisted he doesn't feel like he has to trade one of them to capitalize on supply and demand-driven value.

"Simply stated, no," said O'Brien. "We don't feel compelled to do that."

But would he do it, given the right offer?

"It would have to be huge," he said.

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[redsrbetter]

I like that he says it will have to be something huge. I think he is selling this right in that aspect. But, he better not take too long to make a decision. if it is o the table, and it would help out this team, do it!

[CincyRedsFan30]

I'm just worried that O'Brien is all talk and no action.(In action that is equal to the talk. His "huge" may mean prospects no better than Machado)

[redsrbetter]

Yeah you are definitely right here. He may very well have plenty of more favorites along the lines of Romano, Machado, or Aurilia. Then we are in trouble. Good point CRF!

[QuietAcre]

I hear that K-Mart has a bluelight special deal going on.

[redsrbetter]

LOL, it probably takes him too long to figure out whether or not it is a bargain. Even on a bar of soap, DanO id indecisive.