07-15-2015, 01:07 AM
It would likely leave some Reds fans a little red-assed, but the pay flex option needs to be considered when dealing Cueto. If you can get a team to take on the Phillips contract as a condition of the Cueto deal, that could also help this team quite a bit. I love Brandon, but his deal will look worse and worse as he gets older.
I'm as excited about anyone about adding prospects, but gaining payroll flexibility is a massive deal for the Reds. Not being able to spend money has hurt them badly in the past few years. They've been able to do nothing in FA in the last few years beyond some scrap heap ex-Cards and a few reclamation bullpen guys.
To boot, I have to think that the organization is going to have a tough time letting Frazier end his career elsewhere. he has the talent and the personality to be the face of this team for a long time. He's like Votto without the introverted personality, and he's better than Joey on the field right now, too. I don't think they have a chance to give him what he'll demand without dumping some contracts.
I'm as excited about anyone about adding prospects, but gaining payroll flexibility is a massive deal for the Reds. Not being able to spend money has hurt them badly in the past few years. They've been able to do nothing in FA in the last few years beyond some scrap heap ex-Cards and a few reclamation bullpen guys.
To boot, I have to think that the organization is going to have a tough time letting Frazier end his career elsewhere. he has the talent and the personality to be the face of this team for a long time. He's like Votto without the introverted personality, and he's better than Joey on the field right now, too. I don't think they have a chance to give him what he'll demand without dumping some contracts.
