MLB Trade Rumors: Cincinnati Reds and Toronto Blue Jays on Verge of Blockbuster?

Fox Sports' John Paul Morosi is reporting that the Cincinnati Reds have expressed interest in several relievers, including Toronto's Jason Frasor.

Currently four games back of the Central Division-leading Pittsburgh Pirates (I'm sorry, what?), the Reds are on the lookout for another starter, preferably a front-end type like Ubaldo Jiminez, and at least one reliable arm for the bullpen.

As far as Frasor is concerned, his impending Type B free agency will drive up his price (as I discussed here) which could yield a high end prospect considering how deep the Reds' farm system is.

One of those prospects could be 6'3" lefty Donnie Joseph.  He's having a rough season so far for the Double-A Carolina Mudcats, but he has electric stuff and managed to save 24 games last year (across three levels) with a slash line of 2.08/1.046 along with a ridiculous 14.3 strikeouts per nine innings.

However, the biggest trade chip the Reds possess right now is arguably Yonder Alonso (Aroldis Chapman has pitched his way to untouchable territory).  Taken seventh overall in the 2008 MLB Entry Draft, the left-handed hitting first base prospect has mammoth power.  Unfortunately for Alonso, he finds himself stuck behind reigning NL MVP Joey Votto, making him a seemingly expendable prospect.

Considering Alonso's suspect defense, he seems tailor made for the American League.  Furthermore, with the underwhelming Edwin Encarnacion at DH it seems within the realm of possibility that the Blue Jays at least ask about Alonso.

By no means is Jason Frasor going to yield a player of Alonso's caliber, but if Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos were to expand the deal to include Carlos Villanueva and a prospect like Chad Jenkins or Zach Stewart, would the Reds bite?

Or would it take a more aggressive package like Frasor and Brett Cecil or Frasor and Kyle Drabek?  Yonder Alonso could have an Eric Hosmer-like impact the moment he's called up.  With that in mind, would the hefty price be worth it?

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