I have some catching up to do: Trade talks, and free agency

This just came about today that the Reds were targeting Jermaine Dye of the White Sox. The rumors that have been talked about include Homer Bailey and another player.

Here is the run down on Dye

Contract info

Jermaine Dye of
2 years/$22M (2008-09), plus 2010 mutual option

• 2 years/$22M (2008-09), plus 2010 option
  

• signed extension with White Sox 8/18/07
• 08:$9.5M, 09:$11.5M, 10:$12M mutual option ($1M buyout)
• full no-trade clause in 2008
• limited no-trade clause in 2009 (Dye may block deals to 6 clubs)

3 year stats averages

Games: 146
OBP: .349
Slugging: .550
OPS+: 127

Dye is 34 and from my understanding isn't much of a defensive player anymore. One major problem is with this deal is that we might be giving up on our former number 1 prospect for 1 year and a mutual option. Would I do it? Maybe if some other move is made as well.

Now to discuss that other move. Walt Jocketty supposedly talked to Rafael Furcal's agent and talks didn't get that far.

John Fay:

Jocketty said the reds had a brief conversation with Rafael Furcal's agent. But it didn't sound like that's going anywhere. "Some big market teams are interested in him."

Not amazing news, but still the fact is the Reds have talked to Furcal's people. The Reds have a crazy owner in terms of really wanting to end the losing season streak so I wouldn't count the Reds out just yet. 3 years and maybe an option is all I see Furcal getting because of his injury history. The Reds have expressed interest in making offers in that range of years. Pair that with a Dye deal and the Reds have greatly upgraded the line up from last season, and would make Dusty happy since he could stick with his awesome plan of only having a CF or a SS leading off.