2011 MLB Trade Rumors: Reds Shopping Yonder Alonso

According to Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports, the Cincinnati Reds are actively shopping young slugger Yonder Alonso this offseason.  In return for Alonso, the Reds are looking for what they consider to be a number two starter.  Brown reports that the Reds have already spoken to the Rays, Indians, Blue Jays and A’s regarding Alonso.

Alonso is a 24-year-old who, as he made his way through the Reds farm system, was regarded as one of the best prospects in the majors.  In his short stint with the club last season, Alonso hit at a clip of .330/.398/.545 over his 98 plate appearances.

So why would a team be so willing to move a player such as this?

Two words; Joey Votto.

The Reds believe they already have first base, Alonso’s primary position, shored up for the foreseeable future.  Votto himself is only 28-years-old and has already won a National League Most Valuable Player Award.

So, in order to fill out their rotation, Cincinnati is using Alonso as a large bargaining chip.  There are several big-name first baseman available on the free agent market, but Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder have placed themselves way out of the price range of smaller market clubs like the A’s, Blue Jays, Indians and Rays.  It’s for this reason that a young, inexpensive player like Alonso would appeal to clubs such as these.

The Rays are expected to be willing to deal young starters such as Wade Davis, and the A’s have reportedly held talks with teams regarding young lefty Gio Gonzalez.  Cleveland’s Fausto Carmona has been on the trade block before, but he’s coming off of a rough 2011 season.  The Blue Jays have all kinds of young pitching talent, though it’s unclear which starters Toronto would be willing to part with.

Beyond these teams, the White Sox are said to have top starter John Danks available for the right price.  Though Chicago has first baseman Paul Konerko locked up for the next few years, he is 35-years-old.

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