Brandon Phillips for Cole Hamels and 3 Absurd Reds Offseason Trade Rumors

The Cincinnati Reds were the focus of several trade rumors this offseason, as they proved to be one of the league's most active franchises.

While some of those rumors turned out to be true, several others proved to be nothing more than speculation.

Here's a look at three supposed Cincinnati trades that never came to be.

Dealing Devin Mesoraco for Pitching

Before the Reds pulled the trigger on the deal that sent prospects Yonder Alonso, Brad Boxberger and Yasmani Grandal to the San Diego Padres for pitcher Mat Latos, rumors surfaced that Cincinnati may have been looking to deal stud catching prospect Devin Mesoraco in order to bring in a top-tier starting pitcher.

Gio Gonzalez? Ubaldo Jimenez? Trevor Cahill, perhaps?

Months later, Mesoraco looks to be on the fast track to a starting job behind the plate and is being hyped as one of baseball's favorite Rookie of the Year candidates.

With Grandal out of the picture and Ramon Hernandez no longer in Cincinnati, all signs point to Mesoraco handling the catching duties in Cincy for years to come.

Trading Homer Bailey to Open Up a Spot for Roy Oswalt

Despite being one of Cincinnati's most-talked-about prospects for the past several years, Homer Bailey was being tossed around in trade talks earlier this offseason.

More specifically, a rumor that Bailey would be moved in order to open up a starting spot for veteran free agent Roy Oswalt created quite a buzz.

As Opening Day grows near, however, Bailey is still in Cincinnati and looks to have locked down the fifth spot in the Reds rotation.

Looks like ol' Roy won't be joining the Reds any time soon.

Brandon Phillips for Cole Hamels

The most recent, and perhaps the most peculiar rumor regarding the Reds revolved around a supposed trade proposal that would have sent All-Star second baseman Brandon Phillips to Philadelphia in exchange for Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels.

While the deal would have undoubtedly made Cincinnati's rotation one of the National League's most dangerous, it also would have left a gaping hole in the Reds infield, and left Dusty Baker in a desperate search for a leadoff hitter.

With his contract set to expire after the 2012 season, Phillips' future with the club remains unclear, but, for now, it appears the Reds' beloved second baseman will still be in Cincinnati come Opening Day.