Red Rumors: Cincinnati discussed Dexter Fowler with Rockies

The Cincinnati Reds have "engaged in preliminary trade conversations" with the Colorado Rockies involving center fielder Dexter Fowler, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:

Jocketty might be right, but the Rockies are open to discussing Fowler and have engaged in preliminary trade conversations with the Reds, according to major-league sources.

For his part, Reds general manager Walt Jocketty told MLB.com that he’s "not sure Colorado is moving Fowler." Still, the foundation of a Fowler trade could involve players from Cincinnati’s major league roster, excluding right-hander Homer Bailey, according to Rosenthal.

Colorado is known to be seeking pitching this offseason, causing Rosenthal to speculate that one of the "obvious candidates" to be involved in the trade would be right-hander Mike Leake, who is losing his spot in Cincinnati’s rotation to former closer Aroldis Chapman. The other would be Drew Stubbs, who could replace Fowler in center field for the Rockies.

Fowler, Leake and Stubbs are all under team control for the next three seasons and have projected 2013 salaries in the $3-$4 million range.

Last season for the Rockies Fowler hit .300/.389/.474 with 18 doubles, 11 triples and 13 home runs. The 26-year-old owns a career line of .271/.364/.427 over five years at the major league level.