This John Fay piece makes a case for  the reds to keep both Bronson Arroyo and Brandon Phillips no matter how low the payroll figure that Walt Jocketty must meet might be.  Its really the reason Fay is still writing in Cincinnati, but hey, I don’t need to be critical.

Arroyo is an expensive player, that could help another team.  He struggled early last year, but pulled it together from mid-season on.  He is an innings eater, who has done fairly well in a small ballpark.  All things considered, he should be very tradable, and I am doubtful the Reds really need him as much as they need a lead-off hitter.

Brandon Phillips, on the other hand, is a very valuable piece.  You just don’t find that production at second base anywhere, and he is young enough to keep forever if possible.  He matches up well with Jay Bruce and Joey Votto and makes that line-up much stronger.  That being said, he is the most tradable player.  Writers from other cities have said  that the Reds have said he is unavailable, but as Joel Sherman pointed out if he Reds have to unload a lot of payroll, Phillips can probably be had if you take Arroyo and perhaps someone else.

The Reds have felt like they are getting closer to competing.  They need a left fielder, and someone that can lead off.  Homer Baily finally seems like he might have gotten it- which is why they can get away with getting rid of Arroyo.  If they aren’t as close as they seem, Aaron Harang who should have come back from his injury plagued 2009 should be available at a higher value in July.

According to the Fay article, the Reds payroll has not been set in stone.  Hopefully, there is still some wiggle room.  I have no doubt that Walt Jocketty knew when he traded for Scott Rolen last year, that Rolen would not help unless Phillips was also in the line-up.  Still economics are a funny thing.  Hopefully, Reds season ticket subscriptions are promising, and the team sees the light at the end of the tunnel.  Otherwise, the dark days in Cincy are far from over.