MLB Trade Rumors: Cincinnati Reds Looking for Andrew Bailey to Close?

Cincinnati Reds general manager Walt Jocketty appears to be looking outside the organization for their next closer.

In October Jocketty declined Francisco Cordero's $12 million club option and Thursday Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reported in his article "Phillips, Reds progressing on extension talks" that Jocketty is moving on and looking outside the organization.

"We're still letting them sort out the market," Jocketty said. "While we'd like to bring him back, we're moving on also."

Sheldon also reported that Jocketty said he did not see Cordero's agent, Bean Stringfellow, in Milwaukee (at last weeks GM meetings) and that he would look outside the organization for a closer.

"If we did not sign Coco, we'd first look outside the organization," Jocketty said.

ESPN's Buster Olney reported the Reds are talking about a possible trade for Oakland closer Andrew Bailey.

Bailey, 27, has proven that he is a top notch closer. In his three season with Oakland, he has saved 75 games with a 2.07 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. In addition, he was the 2009 American League rookie of the year and a two time all-star.

Bailey would be a nice addition to the Reds bullpen, but with Brad Boxberger looking like the closer of the future, is it really necessary for the Reds to trade for a closer?

Boxberger posted 11 saves in 2011 with a 2.03 ERA and 0.97 WHIP between AA Carolina and AAA Louisville. This past fall he recorded three saves and 22 strikeouts in 13.1 innings of work for the Phoenix Desert Dogs, earning him a spot on the Arizona Fall League all-star team.

While 2012 may be to soon for Boxberger, his appearance dose not seem far away. This leaves the question, should the Reds trade for Bailey? I suppose the answer to that is two fold:

1. What will the Reds have to give up, and
2. What type of money is Bailey looking for?