It’s the kind of situation that would have even made Monty Hall considered retiring.

Trading players in today’s Major League Baseball climate isn’t easy with so many players sporting no-trade clauses in their contracts. Any player with 10 years in the major leagues and five years with the same team can veto any deal that isn’t to their liking.

Such is the case with the Cincinnati Reds.

During the off-season, the Reds failed to deal second baseman Brandon Phillips to a couple of teams because Phillips wanted to stay with the Reds and vetoed all proposed trades.

Reds’ right-fielder Jay Bruce currently is the subject of most trade talk in Cincinnati, especially with all the success he has had offensively this season.

Bruce is on the wish list of the Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants.

Bruce, 29, has a limited no-trade clause that features eight teams, but that doesn’t mean Bruce wouldn’t accept a deal to any of the teams in his contract.

The no-trade teams in Bruce’s contract include the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Oakland A’s, Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins, Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks and Cleveland Indians.

Players usually list certain teams like the Yankees and Red Sox because they have a lot of money and it gives them leverage in trade talks.

Bruce would have to waive his no-trade clause to any of those teams. Bruce said that he would only go to a contending team and the deal would have to benefit the Reds.

And here’s some good news for Fr. David Huffman and Tribune news writer Dustin Melchior who are both fans of Cleveland sports teams as well as Marietta College graduates.

The power-hitting Bruce said he would go to the Indians and that he doesn’t have any animosity against the team. His contract talks were for eight teams and he merely added the Indians to fill out the list.

In fact, Bruce said he is willing to “consider waiving the no-trade clause for all types of reasons.” He said he would take each situation as it comes.

Of course, he would prefer to remain with the Reds but the team doesn’t really want to pay the $6 million still owed this year and $13.7 million in salary next year if they aren’t winning.

“If I am moved, which has seemed likely for the last year and a half, I’d like to go where the team is most likely to win. Teams that want me are likely seeking somebody to help them win,” said Bruce.

Bruce’s agent Matt Sosnick said Bruce told him that a trade had to be good for him and for the Reds, regardless of the team.

Waiting in the wings to replace Bruce would be Tyler Holt who is currently on the Reds’ roster or left-handed hitting minor leaguer Jesse Winkler who is considered the team’s top prospect.

There are some interesting sidebars stories with teams like the White Sox and Giants. The Reds dealt third baseman Todd Frazier to the White Sox in the offseason when if became apparent Frazier was looking for a lucrative long-term deal that was out of the Reds’ price range. Sending Bruce to Chicago would reunite the former teammates.

Ironically, the Giants are in need of a power-hitting outfielder and Bruce fits the bill. However, the Giants acquired pitcher Mike Leake from the Reds last season for the stretch run and in the deal the Reds got Adam Duvall who is currently tied for the National League lead in home runs.

Duvall also had 55 runs batted in. Bruce has 17 home runs and is third in the NL with 59 RBIs.

Another player mentioned in trade talks — although not as intense or extensive as Bruce — is shortstop Zack Cozart.

While Cozart has an outstanding glove and has respectful at the plate, there are some drawbacks such as his season-ending knee injury last season and the fact he’ll be 32 after the 2017 season when he becomes a free agent.

Cozart is a fan favorite in Cincinnati — and with me — but he is the only real trade attractive player next to Bruce.

Fans liked Frazier, too, but his desire to remain in Cincinnati for good money paled in comparison to playing anywhere for a whole lot of money.

That is what makes Bruce so unique. He wants to stay in Cincinnati and even if he is traded, he wants to make sure the Reds benefit from the deal.

That is admirable and commendable. It’s also unheard of in today’s world of professional sports.

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Jim Walker is sports editor of The Ironton Tribune.