The A's and Cincinnati have had discussions involving a possible trade centered on Oakland closer Andrew Bailey, according to a national report.
ESPN.com's Buster Olney posted the following on Twitter Monday morning:
Reds are talking about possible Andrew Bailey deal.
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There was no attribution about the source, but it's the second time Bailey's name has been mentioned in trade talks this offseason. Previously, it was reported by several news organizations that Toronto was interested in the right-handed closer.
NBCSports' HardballTalk.com blog suggested that Reds outfielder Yonder Alonso could be part of a possible exchange. Alonso, 24, hit .330 with five home runs and 15 RBI over 46 games and 87 at-bats in 2011. He underwent a minor knee surgery following the season.
Bailey missed most of the first two months of the 2011 season with a forearm injury but ultimately appeared in 42 games. He converted 24 of 26 save opportunities while posting a 3.24 ERA. He did not blow a save after the All-Star break.
Bailey was named the 2009 American League rookie of the year after posting 26 saves and a 1.84 ERA.
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Bailey has three main pitches: a four-seam fastball, a curveball and a cutter.
Bailey is arbitration eligible and is under team control until 2015
On Oct. 31, the Reds declined the 12 million club option on Francisco Cordero, which opened the door for the veteran closer to explore the free-agent market.