Cincinnati Reds: Zack Cozart, Not Jose Reyes, Is Solution at Shortstop

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A lot of the recent buzz on the trade rumor circuit has centered around Mets' Jose Reyes; and in numerous circles, the Cincinnati Reds have been linked to the dynamic shortstop.

Reyes, due to become a free agent, is having a career year for the Mets, who are surprisingly treading water with a 34-34 record.

Given the financial woes of the ballclub, it seems to be a safe bet that Reyes is playing out his final months in New York, so potential suitors are possibly being examined. They don't want to end up losing him for nothing.

However, there are a few reasons why I feel that the Reds shouldn't be one of those teams in the conversation.

First off, should he ever come to Cincinnati, we would have to give up valuable pieces of the current farm system. For what? A two-month rental?

The Reds don't have the financial flexibility to keep someone like him long term.

Also, I feel the Reds have a viable, in-house solution in the form of Zack Cozart, who is doing everything asked of him in AAA Louisville.

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Given that Paul Janish can't hit, and Edgar Renteria is aging in dog years, isn't the shortstop hitting .329 worth a look?

Also, he's 25 years old, so the time for seasoning in the minors is probably over. I'm interested to see what they have in the guy, and the great thing is, he wouldn't have as much pressure as certain minor league call-ups during the past 3-4 years.

Homer Bailey's first start was greeted with a sellout crowd, as they expected a savior. And a heap of pressure was put on Jay Bruce from the beginning.

What they would want from Cozart would be someone who can adequately handle the stick, and certainly he can be better than Janish, right?

Cut the dead weight in Renteria, forget about the rental player in Reyes, address other team needs and let's see what Cozart has.