My proposal... it includes swap of draft picks to compensate talent differential and shift of franchise directions. The point of this is not to just give Dan a Mets logo in his profile. He can do that anywhere, and I believe he is already doing that with RFGM. The point is to put passion behind the imaginary front desk of a franchise in this league. Dan's passion will be driven by the team name, the market, its schedule, its history in the league, and some of the players he worked hard to bring to the Reds. The new look Reds would accept this deal as it puts them into the prototypical, youthful small market franchise making them easier to attract than the current Mets. The goal of filling turnover is to make up for what past GMs did wrong, keep the realism of the league, and when possible, put fans in the GM seats of their favorite franchises. Here goes...
Cincinnati Reds receive 15 players for $16.5mSP Archer, Chris, $0.5m (2012)
C Bethancourt, Christian, $0.5m (P-n/a)
CI Blake, Casey, $6m (2011)
OF Gross, Gabe, $0.5m (2011)
C Harper, Bryce, $0.5m (P-n/a)
SP Harvey, Matt, $0.5m (P-n/a)
MI Havens, Reese, $0.5m (P-n/a)
OF Hicks, Aaron, $0.5m (P-n/a)
OF Murphy, Daniel, $0.5m (P-2012)
OF Neal, Thomas, $0.5m (P-n/a)
MI Profar, Jurickson, $0.5m (P-n/a)
SP Ranaudo, Anthony, $0.5m (P-n/a)
MI Sano, Miguel Jean, $0.5m (P-n/a)
CI Singleton, Jonathan, $0.5m (P-n/a)
OF Wells, Vernon, $18m (2014) + $14m/year from Mets
New York Mets receive 10 players for $64mMI Beckham, Gordon, $0.5m (P-2012)
SP Burnett, A.J., $16.5m (2013)
X-SP Burnett, A.J., Cash Exchange on Contract, $6m (2012), $-16.5m in 2011
X-RP Broxton, Jonathan, Cash Exchange on Contract through 2012, $6.5m in 2011
X-SP Buehrle, Mark, Cash Exchange on Contract, $-5m in 2011
X-SP Buehrle, Mark, Released Under Contract, $7m in 2011
X-SP Garland, Jon, Released Under Contract, $2m (2012), $3.5m in 2011
OF Hamilton, Josh, $18m (2015)
X-SP Kazmir, Scott, Released Under Contract, $3m (2012), $6m in 2011
OF Lind, Adam, $16.5m (2011)
P Ni, Fu-Te, $0.5m (2011)
OF Rasmus, Colby, $0.5m (P-2012)
X-MI Roberts, Brian, Cash Exchange on Contract through 2013, $3.5m in 2011
OF Russell, Kyle, $0.5m (2011)
OF Snider, Travis, $0.5m (P-2012)
C Thole, Josh, $1.5m (2013)
X-OF Upton, Justin, Cash Exchange on Contract through 2012, $2.5m in 2011
OF Russell, Kyle, $0.5m (2011)
The Reds will go to a full 40 player roster. The Mets payroll increases to $180m, right up against their cap. Dan stays in similar situation, but loses out on his keepsake ornaments called Delmon Young and Ian Stewart. However, he enters a new team with some improved veteran pitchers, has low minor prospects ont he EDR, and picks up a serviceable Beltran. The biggest relief for Dan is the increased cap next year. What the Reds truly lose here is Rasmus (due for a pay raise by 2012), Hamilton (nearly 25% of Reds' salary), Lind (more liability than anything), and Beckham. They gain the piece of mind from the loss of liabilities and become one of the best farms. Since the MLB focus is on the lineup, the new Reds will sport a lineup that looks like the following.
C ___
CI Belt, Brandon, $0.5m (P-n/a)
CI Blake, Casey, $6m (2011)
MI Figgins, Chone, $3m (2011)
MI ____
OF Wells, Vernon, $18m (2014)
OF Murphy, Daniel, $0.5m (P-2012)
OF Gross, Gabe, $0.5m (2011)
Not sure who the C/MI would be, but there are more producers in this rebuilding Reds team than many of our bottom foes. The new GM's responsibility will be to fill those holes right away.
The lineup will have
C Romine, Austin, $0.5m (P-n/a)
MI Hamilton, Billy, $0.5m (P-n/a)
C-OF Harper, Bryce, $0.5m (P-n/a)
MI Havens, Reese, $0.5m (P-n/a)
OF Hicks, Aaron, $0.5m (P-n/a)
CI Singleton, Jonathan, $0.5m (P-n/a)
all waiting to make an impact this by the end of 2012. The Reds will have plenty of money to spend and be a dream franchise to run. With potential FA contributors available now, the team could fill out its lineup, make some trades to optimize the system, and have plenty of cash to make it competitive in 2012. Their pitching staff will be led by Happ, Narveson, and Lohse. Tallet, Hill, and Reyes could contribute to the rotation, but there are FA out there.
