Trade proposal

According to reports the Reds are about to sign Arroyo to a two-year extension covering 2011 to 2013. We said last week that picking up Arroyo's option was a no-brainer, but I'm not so sure about an extension. If the Reds plans go well, they won't need Arroyo past July of this year, let alone in 2013. But if they can get a team-friendly deal, without a no-trade clause, that wouldn't be so bad. Arroyo has certtainly proven his durability. But as we've pointed out in the past, why would Arroyo sign a team-friendly deal after being burned in Boston? And if they can't get a team-friendly deal, then they shouldn't sign him in the first place.

Here is what I propose: see if they can trade Arroyo to the Mets for Jose Reyes. I know that sounds crazy, but it might work. The Mets absolutely need a guy like Arroyo as a 3rd or 4th starter that can eat innings at an above-average (barely) rate. They both have similar salaries for this year (and only this year unless the extension is inked) so the money is a wash. The Mets need to re-stock their farm system and could certainly use a catcher, so I would include one of Yasmani Grandal or Devin Mesoraco (the Mets' choice), and throw in one more player. Perhaps Paul Janish, who could hold down short for the Mets until prospect Wilmer Flores is ready. If not Janish, the Reds have some other shortstop prospects, one of which they could throw in. Or, the Reds could include another innings-eating pitcher, like Sam LeCure or Matt Maloney. (I would be sad to see one of those guys traded because I just started a Twitter account (@bigzbluesox) and follow them both.)

This trade would be risky for the Reds. They would be giving up good young players for a one-year rental of Reyes (I doubt they could sign him long-term). But to have a legitimate lead-off guy that can play short and steal bases would mean a ton to the line-up in 2011 and make the Reds the favorite to repeat in the Central.