Kuzul

According to the Reds’ official team website, the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves have agreed to terms on a deal that will ship Cincinnati shortstop Paul Janish to Atlanta in exchange for righty pitching prospect Todd Redmond.

Boasting a 69-56 career record over 199 minor league appearances, Redmond was described by Reds GM Walt Jocketty as “a big, strong, durable guy” and will likely be inserted into the Triple-A Louisville starting rotation immediately.

Janish, a career Red who saw big league playing time from 2008-11, has always been regarded for his stellar defense, but has struggled mightily at the plate and failed to make Cincinnati’s 2012 major league roster.

Fortunately, the move to Atlanta could present the 29-year-old shortstop with a golden opportunity, given the Braves’ lack of middle infield depth.

With both Billy Hamilton and Didi Gregorius coming through the shortstop ranks in the Queen City, Janish was likely to find himself buried deep within the Cincinnati farm system for quite some time had a transaction not taken place.

While it’s difficult to predict the trade’s long-term impact here and now, the move seems to make sense for Cincy. Janish’s role with the Reds was clearly dwindling and minor league pitching depth can never be overvalued.

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The first half of the MLB season was all good and fun, fantasy owners, but it’s time to get down to business.

The All-Star break is just one week away, providing a perfect opportunity to rethink and re-tune those fantasy rosters for a second-half surge.

While sleepers are hard to come by this far into the season, here’s a look at five under-the-radar studs who may still be floating around your waiver wire.

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Cincinnati second baseman Brandon Phillips didn’t get off to the hot start he hoped for in 2012, but as May turned to June something seemed to click for the two-time All-Star.

After recording only five home runs and 25 RBI through May 30, Phillips has been on an absolute tear this month, clubbing four home runs to the tune of 15 RBI in just 51 at-bats.

Even more importantly, the 30-year-old Silver Slugger is batting .353 in June and has finally given the surging Reds a legitimate clean-up threat behind Joey Votto. For the majority of the season, opposing pitchers have been able to dodge Votto’s red-hot bat, pitching around the former MVP in order to limit his run-producing potential. Now, however, Phillips’ improved play has all but eliminated that option, allowing Votto—and the team as a whole—to explode offensively.

Additionally, with third baseman Scott Rolen set to rejoin the club in the days to come, Phillips could potentially return to the leadoff spot where he may be able to provide Votto with even more RBI opportunities.

While a recent All-Star vote count showed that Phillips was still in hot contention with both Atlanta slugger Dan Uggla and Miami’s Omar Infante for the National League’s starting second base spot, the three-time Gold Glover seems to be gaining a leg up with his recent surge.

Considering the big-time money Cincinnati dealt out to both Phillips and Votto this offseason, seeing them both take the field come All-Star Week would be an awfully promising sight for everyone involved with the Reds organization.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

First base may be one of the most loaded positions in fantasy baseball, but if you haven’t managed to land one of the spot’s many superstars, you may want to consider some of these guys.

Sure, their names aren’t the biggest in the game, but their early production could provide a serious boost to any fantasy owner.

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In a sport where salary caps are nonexistent and big-money franchises can essentially buy championships, the 2012 Cincinnati Reds are a breath of fresh air.

When the Reds took to the field on Opening Day they didn’t just looked talented; they looked familiar as well.

Six of the club’s nine starters from Thursday’s home opener came up through the Cincinnati farm system and have been associated with the organization for the entirety of their careers.

Zack Cozart, Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Drew Stubbs, Ryan Hanigan, Johnny Cueto and even Chris Heisey, who came off the bench to provide a late-inning spark, are all lifelong Reds.

Maybe it’s just me, but there’s something remarkably refreshing about that trend.

As evidenced by Joey Votto’s recent contract extension and talks surrounding a Brandon Phillips deal in the works, Cincinnati’s higher-ups have remained loyal to their players, and as a result have built a team that is both talented and worth rallying around.

That’s rare in the MLB, and something that is worth commending.

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According to multiple sources, Cincinnati’s Ryan Madson is out for the season after tearing a ligament in his elbow.

Madson, who signed a one-year deal worth more than $8 million earlier this off-season, was projected to be the Reds’ closer following the release of Francisco Cordero.

The injury, which took place earlier this week, was announced earlier today, following an examination by team medical director Timothy Kremchek.

The Reds have made no remarks regarding who might take on Madson’s closing duties, but according to the Washington Post, general manager Walt Jocketty did say that the search for a replacement closer is underway.

“We talked to the team. We all have to stay positive. We have alternatives internally that we will sort through in the next few days.” – Walt Jocketty, Cincinnati Reds GM

This news comes just days after the Reds announced Cuban prospect Aroldis Chapman will begin the season in the bullpen, and many are considering him a front runner for the job.

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Spring training statistics are nothing to swear by, but it has been hard to ignore the impressive numbers Cincinnati Reds prospect Todd Frazier has been posting this preseason.

Through 25 plate appearances, the 26-year-old third baseman is leading Cincinnati in batting average (.280), home runs (three), RBI (eight), runs (eight) and stolen bases (two).

The question remains, however, where exactly does Frazier fit in the Reds’ plans for 2012? While it is safe to assume that veteran Scott Rolen has locked up the everyday third base job, the rest of the third base depth chart is a bit blurry, with both Frazier and slugger Juan Francisco vying for playing time.

While Francisco looks to be next in line, manager Dusty Baker and the rest of the Cincinnati coaching staff have expressed concerns regarding his durability and lack of physical conditioning.

Could those worries potentially open up a roster spot for the surging Frazier?

That still remains unclear.

As for now, Frazier appears to be floating somewhere between Triple-A ball and an infield utility role with the big league club. While he’s likely to start the regular season in Louisville, however, the Reds may not have a choice but to call him up should he continue to fill up the stat sheet.

With the overload at third, don’t be surprised to hear either Francisco or Frazier come up in trade talks as the season progresses. Given Cincinnati’s high expectations for 2012, the Reds may be in position to make a roster-bolstering move come playoff time and both prospects could generate some serious interest.

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I published an article last month projecting the Cincinnati Reds‘ Opening Day batting order.

As spring training has progressed, however, the Redlegs’ order seems to be shaping up quite a bit differently.

Here’s an updated peek at the Cincinnati lineup as it may look when the Miami Marlins come to town April 5.

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Jay Bruce emerged as a bona fide slugger for the Cincinnati Reds last season, clubbing 32 home runs and racking up an impressive 97 RBI.

That said, the young outfielder still has plenty of room for improvement.

If Bruce can bolster these three aspects of his game this season, he could legitimately become an MLB superstar…

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Since making his MLB debut in 2007, Cincinnati Reds catcher Ryan Hanigan has without a doubt been a valuable asset to the Reds organization.

As both a backup catcher and a spot starter, Hanigan has proven himself to be a clutch hitter and a solid defender behind the plate.

Many baseball fans, including me, expected to see Hanigan earn more of a full-time role with the Reds once the recent trade deadline had passed, but Cincinnati elected to hold on to veteran Ramon Hernandez and keep Hanigan in his usual on-again, off-again role.

One has to wonder, with Hernandez playing at a high level and with two hot minor league catching prospects in Devin Mesoraco and Yasmani Grandal itching to make their way up to the majors, where exactly Hanigan fits in Cincinnati’s plans for the future.

Hernandez is 35 years old and projected to become a free agent at the season’s end, but the Reds didn’t trade him when given a chance to at the deadline, and that could mean that they intend to bring him back in 2012. After all, there are several Cincinnati pitchers, including emerging star Johnny Cueto, who prefer to pitch to Hernandez due to their familiarity with his catching style. 

Whatever the Reds decide to do with Hanigan down the line, there’s no question that he will still have a future in the league. Catchers (even backups) are remarkably valuable in the MLB, and while he’s not a superstar by any means, Hanigan has shown year after year that he can hold down home plate with the best of them.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com