MLB Trade Rumors 2014 Update: Cincinnati Reds Send Ryan Hanigan To Tampa Bay Rays, Brandon Phillips Still On The Block
The Cincinnati Reds traded catcher Ryan Hanigan to the Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday in a three-team trade involving the Arizona Diamondbacks, ESPN reported.
Hanigan was acquired by the Rays along with Heath Bell from the Diamondbacks, while Arizona acquired minor league pitcher Justin Choate and a yet to be named player. The Reds got left-hander David Holmberg from Arizona.
Hanigan, who recently signed a three-year contract worth $10.75 million, became an expendable asset for the Reds due to the emergence of David Mesoraco last season.
Mesoraco, the Reds' first round pick in the 2007 draft, will start for Cincinnati next season after an impressive performance last season when Hanigan was out due to injury.
Mesoraco played 103 games, hitting nine homeruns and 42 RBIs, outshining Hanigan, who tallied two homers and 21 RBIs in 75 games. The Reds also signed catcher Brayan Pena to a two-year deal worth $2.275 million to serve as Mesoraco's backup.
Holmberg, on the other hand, is expected to improve the pitching depth of the Reds. The 22-year-old lefty was a Southern League All-Star last season and had 116 strikeouts in 157 1-3 innings.
"Devin Mesoraco will have the opportunity to become a front-line catcher for us," said Reds general manager Walt Jocketty. "Holmberg provides us with the quality pitching depth that every team needs."
Meanwhile, the Reds are still expected to make some moves before the start of next season and trading Brandon Phillips could be one of those possible moves.
The Reds are still mum on their plans to trade the second baseman, but the Cincinnati Enquirer provided an interesting tidbit, suggesting Phillips is still on the trading block.
The Reds recently sent out a press release to promote the upcoming RedsFest and curiously, Phillips' name was not on the list of more than 70 current and former Reds players, coaches, and broadcasters that are expected to grace the event.