Johnny Cueto, Mike Leake, Aroldis Chapman and Todd Frazier have all been sent packing in service to the cause of rebuild-reboot-recycle. Depending on how you look at it, add Marlon Byrd, Mat Latos and Alfredo Simon to the discard pile. Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips remain as significant players that could offer the club a positive return.
By virtue of his longevity with the Reds, Phillips has earned the right to refuse any trade. The second baseman apparently exercised it a few weeks ago after the Reds had negotiated a deal with the Washington Nationals. Phillips was looking for an extension to approve the deal, but the Nationals weren’t that interested.