[More Cowbell]

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this trade!!!!!

The trade ended up being a 2-for-2 swap, as the Reds gave up Stubbs and SS prospect Didi Gregorious in exchange for Choo and backup infielder Jason Donald. To me, this deal was perfect for the Reds on so many levels:

1) The Reds get a perfect leadoff hitter, a guy who had a .373 on-base percentage last year, and has a .381 career OBP. This is a MAJOR upgrade over Drew Stubbs, he of the career OBP of .312 (bad for a leadoff hitter), but which bottomed out at just .277 ( atrocious for a leadoff guy). Just imagine how many more RBI opportunities this will give Joey Votto over the course of the year.

2) Choo has just one year left on his contract. The Reds have stud prospect Billy Hamilton waiting in the wings to take over center field in 2014, but needed someone to fill-in this next year. Matches up perfectly.

3) As an impending free agent, Choo will also be looking for a big-money, multi-year contract next winter. The Reds will not offer that, of course. But if they tender him a 1-year qualifying offer and he declines, then we get a 1st round draft pick in return for his leaving. Another bonus.

4) The Reds did not give up anything important in the trade. Stubbs, of course, had worn out his welcome in Cincinnati, and probably needs a change in scenery. He had no future as a Red, and at best would have simply been a placeholder until Hamilton took over in 2014. As for Gregorious, I think he will end up being a solid starter for many years, but he was effectively blocked at SS by Zack Cozart. There was no way to play them both, so losing him really doesn't hurt us at all.

The only real downside to this deal is that it will definitely hurt our defense. Either Choo or Jay Bruce will be moving to center field, and neither of the two can cover anywhere close to as much ground as Stubbs could. But in the end, the increased offense should MORE than make up for the weaker outfield defense.