The Cincinnati Reds have discussed internally the possibility of trading for either Hunter Pence or Carlos Beltran, according to John Fay:
↵↵↵A Reds insider told me earlier that club was not close to any deals. "That can change quickly," he said.
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It seems odd that the Reds would want to trade for Pence, seeing as they already have Jay Bruce and Drew Stubbs in their outfield, and if Jonny Gomes is going to be traded, then that still leaves Chris Heisey. And taking a cursory glance at the Reds season so far, it it obvious that their one defect has been their pitching, not their hitting.
↵Looking at payroll, Pence will be in line to make close to $10m in arbitration next season, but the Reds hold team options for 2012 on both Francisco Cordero and Brandon Phillips if they need to shed cash.
↵But Ken Rosenthal wrote this morning that the Reds intentions approaching the trade deadline still appear to be a mystery. Whether Ed Wade would contemplate trading Pence within the division is another thing entirely, but given that Drayton McLane is no longer calling the shots, I think it more likely than it was last year.
↵If nothing else it means we have another suitor that could drive up the asking price for Pence.