The Cincinnati Reds were among the first teams connected to Cliff Lee and the Mariners when Seattle started falling out of contention, and it’s sounding more and more like there is more to their interest than blind speculation. The Reds are narrowly holding off the Cardinals in the NL Central without a true ace, relying on solid but unspectacular performances from Johnny Cueto, Mike Leake and Bronson Arroyo.  Homer Baily has been on the DL much of the season and Aaron Harang just joined him.  The Reds could definitely use a stopper in their rotation, even with Edinson Volquez returning from Tommy John rehab soon.

The Reds have some interesting trade pieces should they go for Lee, the most obvious being Yonder Alonso, a highly rated first base prospect who is close to being MLB ready but is clearly blocked by one of the best young first basemen in baseball, Joey Votto (who is understandably said to be unavailable for a Lee trade).  Ranked baseball’s 76th best prospect coming into the season by Keith Law and 45th by Baseball America, Alonso isn’t an elite prospect but brings a great approach and good contact ability from the left side of the plate, with power expected to develop sooner than later.  A broken hamate bone is attributed as the cause of his lack of home run power last season and some think it’s still hindering him this season.  Another area of concern is his inability to hit lefties thus far.  Still, Alonso would become Seattle’s best first base prospect and could probably be penciled in as a starter against right handers sometime next season.  Alonso has begun playing left field in AAA to mixed reviews. 

Jay Bruce is also said to be unavailable despite being a bit of a disappointment after being baseball’s top rated prospect for a while.  Outfield-mates Drew Stubbs and Chris Heisy could be appealing to Seattle as right handed alternatives to Michael Saunders, though neither is top shelf talent.  Stubbs walks at a fair clip, plays good defense and wreaks havoc on the basepaths, but there are questions about his ability to hit for average and power.  Heisy is one of those steady performers across the board who doesn’t do anything that jumps out at you, but does enough right to deserve a spot in the lineup.

Beyond Alonso, the Reds don’t seem to have any other near MLB ready players in the minors that are great fits for Seattle.  The Reds’ top rated position prospect is Todd Frazier, a good all around offensive performer who makes consistent contact, draws a fair amount of walks and has a swing that, while featuring some inefficiencies, produces a lot of line drives.  Frazier does not currently have a position, however, having played significant time at all four infield spots and left field in his pro career.  Most reports like him as a third baseman should he get a chance to settle in somewhere, but he is blocked by Scott Rolen there in Cinci.  He may have to break in as an everyday utility player.  The versatility could appeal to Seattle.

Zack Cozart is an interesting option as a secondary piece.  The shortstop is known as a slick fielder, has developed some good pop for a shortstop and has made strides with his walk rate, but is unable to hit for average.  He would be a nice pickup to get some shortstop depth behind Jack and Josh Wilson.  He’s not looking like a starter on a good team, but could be good insurance or a stopgap successor.

Travis Wood and Matt Maloney are a couple lefty back of the rotation arms currently filling in for the Reds that would be good matches for Seattle’s park.  They wouldn’t anchor any deals, but could help put the finishing touches on one.

With Votto (understandably) and Bruce (understandably, but less so) almost certainly off limits, Alonso has to be in any deal with the Reds, with any number of possibilities filling out the deal.

Been busy lately so I won’t dig quite as deep as normal.  Here is John Sickels’ preseason top 30 and Baseball America’s top 10 for more names.  What packages make sense to you?

Update: John Paul Morosi tweets:

I have spoken with two scouts who say Juan Francisco, not Yonder Alonso, would be the Reds’ best bat to offer for Cliff Lee.

Francisco is a third baseman who brings good power from the left side of the plate.  His defense is suspect, while his strikezone control could be his downfall.  Francisco strikes out too much and rarely walks.  His minor league OBP is just .311, which is a fair representation of his on-base abilities.  These scouts’ opinions be damned, I can’t imagine Francisco being a headlining piece to any Lee deal.