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MLB Trade Rumors: Cincinnati Reds’ Deadline Possibilities

By this point, most people in baseball consider the Cincinnati Reds contenders. Critics took awhile to come around, but the continued steady stream of success has altered their opinions.

One of the reasons they are here is a trade from the 2009 deadline. The Reds acquired Scott Rolen from the Blue Jays for Edwin Encarnacion, Zach Stewart, and Josh Roenicke. 

Rolen, a 2010 All-Star, has been phenomenal for the Reds, and the proof is in the record. The team is 6-11 without Rolen in the starting lineup and 45-31 with him present.

The offense ranks sixth overall in team batting average, and fellow All-Stars Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips are each having career years. Johnny Gomes is among the major league leaders in RBI with 64 after signing right before Spring Training as a platoon right fielder. It seems that everything is going right in Cincinnati.

The starting pitching has been excellent of late. Over the last 30 games, the Reds ERA is 2.70, second best in the majors.

Bronson Arroyo (10-4), Johnny Cueto (9-2), and Mike Leake (7-1) have pitched much better than pre-season expectations. Philadelphia Phillies’ ace Roy Halladay has eight losses on the year; the above mentioned trio has a COMBINED seven.

But that doesn’t mean the Reds should stand pat.

The relief pitching has been less than stellar outside of All-Star Arthur Rhodes (1.43 ERA). This is the biggest need for the Reds as the trading deadline approaches.

Closer Francisco “CoCo” Cordero is right at the top of the leader board with 26 saves—yet most fans are petrified when they watch him run to the mound. He has a knack for digging himself into a hole before somehow getting out of the jam.

He has six blown saves on the year, which is not too great for a guy making $12M. Before Tuesday’s perfect ninth inning, he had walked batters in six consecutive previous outings. But realistically speaking, the Reds will not be acquiring a pitcher that will knock Cordero out of the closer role.

The Reds have offered Jason Isringhausen a contract and expect resolution soon, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. GM Walt Jocketty told Fay that he expects to hear from Isringhausen within a day or two.

The Reds watched Isringhausen throw, and manager Dusty Baker told Fay that he liked what he saw. But Isringhausen hasn’t pitched since June of ’09, just before having season ending Tommy John surgery.

It’s a low risk/high reward situation, but that’s not enough. They also signed Russ Springer to a minor league deal—but it’s the same situation. Nobody expects either of these two guys to pitch the eighth or ninth inning for the club.

The problem is the lack of good relief pitching out there.

“There’s not a lot available on the market,” Jocketty told reporters.

Kerry Wood, Jason Frasor, Octavio Dotel, Kevin Gregg, Joakim Soria, Matt Capps, Leo Nunez, and David Aardsma are all available. None of them get me too excited.

But how much of the rich farm system do the Reds want to give up right now? With Arroyo, Cueto, Leake, Edinson Volquez, Aaron Harang, Homer Bailey and Travis Wood, the Reds have one of the deepest rotations in the majors.

Matt Maloney could start for a ton of teams right now, and he has been stuck in the minors. I would assume Maloney and former No.1 pick 1B Yonder Alonso are the top two prospects of value on the trading block.

Is giving up one of the two above mentioned players worth a decent to average reliever? The other way to look at it: is it worth it to give up a few prospects for a chance to go to the World Series THIS YEAR?

Maybe the Reds could slide the injured Bailey into relief when he returns from the DL. He has never done it before, but the starting rotation is extremely crowded at the moment.

Another option is to bring up flame-throwing 22-year-old Aroldis Chapman.

He has hit 102 MPH on the radar gun, but his lack of control leads most to believe he wont be up till September when the roster expands. But there is no doubt he could be the next David Price or Joba Chamberlin—pitchers that simply explode onto the late season scene and ride that momentum into the playoffs.

On the offensive side, the Reds have reportedly expressed interest in Blue Jays catcher John Buck. But other than that there has been little talk about adding to the lineup.

Gary Matthews Jr. was signed last month and has hit .310 in Triple-A Louisville. He might be able to grab a roster spot away from somebody like Laynce Nix or Chris Heisey, but either way it’s not going to be a move that infuses much panic in other contending teams.

The Reds are enjoying their best season in 10 years. The time is right to make a strong push, and if that means sacrificing a top prospect, so be it.

Who knows if Cincinnati will be in contention next year? It’s time for the Reds to stop always thinking next year and focus on this year. Pull the trigger on the best available reliever (Capps) and hope he can help right the biggest problem on this team.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com


Power Rankings Week 16: MLB Trade Rumors

The July 31st trade deadline is right around the corner and it looks to be a very active couple of days. Teams like the Padres, Rangers, Reds, and White Sox are all contending—but need that extra piece of the puzzle to put them over the top.

The Yankees recent injury woes leave them searching for a top flight starter. After missing out on Cliff Lee they are targeting the next best thing in Houston’s Roy Oswalt. But the Yanks are only one of the many suitors going after Oswalt.

Corey Hart, Ty Wiggington, and Ted Lilly have been discussed by seemingly one-third of baseball. Should be a wild two weeks that will set the tone for the rest of regular play.

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MLB All-Star Game 2010: Cincinnati Reds’ Scott Rolen Helps NL Hold off AL

The Cincinnati Reds brought their style of play to Anaheim, and the results paid off as the National League defeated the American League 3-1 in the 81st annual All-Star Game.

A pitcher’s duel for most of the night, Scott Rolen started a seventh-inning rally with a single off Phil Hughes. He then went first to third on a Matt Holliday single, hustling the entire way and sliding to safety.

All-Star teammate Brandon Phillips was miked up for the game and could be heard chanting:

“Yeah yeah. That’s what we do in Cincinnati. We go first to third.”

Ah yes, they do. They currently lead the majors in that category. The play didn’t win the game for the NL, but it altered the way Matt Thornton pitched to Marlon Byrd—who eventually earned a walk.

It also set a tone for the rest of the NL squad. The game does matter and Rolen is going all-out to win it.

One batter later with the bases loaded, Atlanta’s Brian McCann delivered big with a bases-clearing double. It marked the first time in All-Star Game history that a player knocked in three with the bases loaded (hard to believe isn’t it?). McCann was named MVP of the game.

Matt Capps of the Washington Nationals earned the win to become the first pitcher from a team based in Washington to win an All-Star Game since Dutch Leonard (1943 Senators).

While Phillips didn’t collect a hit, he made a dandy of a play in the field, tagging out Texas’ Elvis Andrus, who was trying to swipe second and slid past the bag.

Joey Votto was also hitless after earning over 14 million votes to be the last player selected to the team. But it was a great experience for the always level-headed Votto:

“I’m starting to learn you have to take a moment to say, ‘I’ve done pretty good. I’m an All-Star.’ I’ve given myself the next few days to pat myself on the back. I’ve never done that before, but I’m learning to. Not in an arrogant way. In the past, I’ve never said, ‘You know, that was pretty good.'”

From the seventh inning on, the NL infield was colored Red as 1B Votto, 2B Phillips, and 3B Rolen all finished the victory.

Unfortunately, the ageless Arthur Rhodes didn’t make an appearance. While I’m sure he needed the well-deserved rest, it would have been nice to see the 40-year-old at least pitch to one batter. 

All in all, it was a great experience for the Reds’ All-Stars. Phillips was all grins the entire game and looked to have really soaked up the entire experience.

Votto was able to realize he is an elite player and Rolen showed the world how the Cincinnati Reds are playing baseball in 2010.

The American League lost the All-Star Game for the first time since 1996, and now the National League will own home-field advantage in the World Series.

Nobody is crazy enough to say Game 7 will be at Great American Ballpark, but it sure is convenient to have home-field advantage for the first time in years—when the Reds are in first place for the first time in years.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com


MLB Power Rankings Week 15: Lee Finds a New Home

We have officially hit the All-Star break and there have been plenty of surprises.

The Padres have been able to fend off pesky NL West rivals. The Reds have 27 come-from-behind wins and have been in first for over a month. The Rangers just picked up a Cy Young winner as they sit comfortably atop their division. There have been a obscene amount of perfect games and no-hitters.

Yet some things stay the same. The Yankees once again have the best record in all of baseball. The Pirates are in last again and there has been an A-Rod controversy.

The second half looks like it will provide plenty of drama, the season really heats up now.

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MLB Power Rankings Week 13: Everyone’s Gone Streaking!

This week featured yet another no-hitter: a goofy eight-walk and 149-pitch performance by Edwin Jackson of the D-Backs. But it certainly still counts.

Baseball is littered with streaks lately. Josh Hamilton and Jose Guillen both own 21-game hit streaks. Joey Votto has reached base in 35 straight games.

The White Sox and Rangers have both ripped off double-digit win streaks. And the ageless Arthur Rhodes hasn’t allowed a run in 33 straight appearances,

Then there are the Pirates, who haven’t won a road game since May.

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Why Can’t Chapman Come Out Of The Cincinnati Reds Bullpen?

It’s a simple question that the Cincinnati Reds brass has been able to avoid until now. The bullpen has been awful the past month and the starting pitching has been holding the team together.

Why can’t the Reds use their new high priced toy at their biggest position of need? Why can’t Aroldis Chapman come out of the bullpen?

The starting pitching is currently the motor running the Reds ship.

Bronson Arroyo has been brilliant of late, he is 7-1 in his last eight decisions. Aaron Harang has shook off his early season struggles to drop his ERA three full runs over the last two months. Johnny Cueto has been able to somewhat control his pitch counts and has a 7-2 record and an ERA under four to show for it.

Then there is the rookie phenom Mike Leake.

He’s had 11 quality starts in 14 appearances. Insane for a guy that skipped the minors completely. Sam LeCure has been decent with the odd luck of continually facing the other teams ace, but he is the odd man out when help arrives.

The excellent starting pitching has occurred without the services of Homer Bailey and Edinson Volquez.

Speaking of Volquez, he is making great progress. Less than 11 months removed from Tommy John surgery, the right-hander thinks he’s days away from returning to the majors.

“I feel great right now over there on the mound,” he said. “My arm is ready to go.”

Wednesday, Volquez took another step toward getting back to the surprising Reds with five solid innings for the Louisville Bats, the Triple-A affiliate.

The 26-year-old allowed one run on three hits, striking out one and walking none. His fastball reached 96 on the radar gun and all the reports on his arm have been positive.

It’s easy to forget, but this guy was an All-Star in ’08—posting a 17-6 record with a 3.21 ERA. Volquez anticipates he’ll make two more starts at Triple-A before moving up. He should have a starting spot served to him on a silver platter when he returns.

Bailey’s shoulder sounds like it might be worse than previously expected. The Reds have been very quiet on the injury and that’s not necessarily a good thing. Bets are off right now for when Bailey returns.

Which leads us to the pitcher most thought would make the biggest splash for the ’10 Reds. It took only six weeks of Spring Training to realize Aroldis Chapman has the potential to be a No. 1 starter in the future.

He is a modest 5-5 with an ERA of 4.12 in 13 starts for AAA Louisville. The fastball has been clocked at a sizzling 100 to 102 mph on occasion—hence his 79 K’s in 67 innings.

Yet he has struggled mightily to keep his pitch count down and has reached the seventh inning once in his 13 starts.

Clearly he has the talent to have great success a the Major League level. But how much better would the bullpen be with a 100 mph flame thrower left-hander that hitters have never faced in the seventh inning?

Besides, checkout the list of other pitchers that started their Major League careers in the minors:

Adam Wainright made his first 63 appearances from the bullpen.
Roy Oswalt 8 bullpen appearances to start career.
Mark Buehrle 25 bullpen appearances as a rookie.
Derek Lowe 278 career bullpen appearances
Zach Grienke 41 career bullpen appearances

The pitch count issue would vanish while making sure he doesn’t throw too many innings in the process.

The Reds would upgrade its biggest position of need without making any sort of trade. Chapman gets a taste of the big league life and will be able to learn plenty about the game sitting in the bullpen with Spanish speaking reliever, and 11 year veteran CoCo Cordero.

We all know Chapman is the future of the franchise.

The Red Legs threw $30M his way for a reason. It just so happens that the ’10 Reds are actually competing for a play-off spot this year ( foreign concept right?).

Who thinks Johnny Gomes will have 50 RBI almost a month before before the All-Star break again next year? Or that Scott Rolen can put up numbers he did 10 years ago again? Or that Joey Votto doesn’t have another mental relapse?

My point is simple, Cincinnati baseball in the lost decade was a “wait till you see these young prospects next year” approach. What else are you supposed to do when your 15 games out?

This year is different.

The pieces of the puzzle are more aligned than ever since the ’90’s. Why not use your high priced toy in the greatest position of need? Give Chapman a shot in a middle relief role and see what the 22 year-old flamethrower can do with it.

What’s the alternative? Bring up Carlos Fisher or Enerio Del Rosario again?

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com


MLB Power Rankings Week 12: Manny Returns To Fenway

Manny Ramirez finally returned to Boston after a bitter divorce two years ago. It just so happened to be a day after the L.A. Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. So needless to say, the fans weren’t in the best of moods.

In the 30 seconds between the time his name was announced, leading off the second inning for the Dodgers with the first pitch delivered by Felix Doubront, there were loud cheers, there were boos, there were polite claps, and there were fans so torn they didn’t know what to do.

The result was anticlimactic as Manny didn’t even acknowledge the crowd. But I think the crowds’ reaction sums up his time in Boston. Fans never knew when to cheer, boo, or stare in confusion.

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The Cincinnati Reds are Still in First?

Are the Reds really in this for the long haul?

The calender says it’s mid-June and the Reds occupy the top of the NL Central. This is uncharted territory for a team that is emerging from the “lost decade.”

Typically the injuries begin to pile up, and the Reds begin to fold. This year features more of the same injury problems (Homer Bailey, Ryan Hannigan, Chris Dickerson, Mike Lincoln, and Edinson Volquez), but the team has stayed afloat.

The difference?

Veterans such as Scott Rolen and Orlando Cabrera.

Rolen’s team-leading 14 homers are his most since 2006. He’s hitting .307, which would be his highest season average since 2004.

“It’s been nice, but I’m not taking too much for granted,” says Rolen, 35, who has had three shoulder surgeries since 2005. “I’d probably be remiss if I tell you the ballpark (in Cincinnati) hasn’t helped me out a bit. It’s a fly-ball park and the ball travels well. Some of my better swings have been rewarded with home runs rather than doubles.”

Ah yes the beauty of Great American “Small” Park.

Cabrera, also 35, is with his seventh team in seven years. In the previous six seasons, he has missed the postseason once. He is the vocal leader in the clubhouse, and has brought a winning attitude to Cincinnati.

Both players bring stellar defense to the table and have truly stabilized the left side of the infield. The defense overall has drastically improved. Extremely important when your home field is so tiny.

The young guns like Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, and Drew Stubbs are soaking it all in. They are learning how to win while following Rolen and Cabrera’s lead. The results have been obvious—the Reds lead the major leagues in come-from-behind wins (22), they lead the NL in team batting average (.278) and slugging percentage (.453).

“In Cincinnati we haven’t had a winning club in years, and I think the fans have been frustrated by that,” GM Walt Jocketty says. “Cincinnati is traditionally a very good baseball city, but fans have lost some interest. Well, it’s our job to get that interest back.”

“It’s our responsibility to be very competitive. At the same time, we need to keep in mind that we’re building for the long haul with a team that can be in contention for a long period of time.”

Manager Dusty Baker has been making the right moves to keep everyone happy and productive. He has regularly given the two veterans days off to keep them fresh. He stuck with Stubbs and Bruce despite their massive early season struggles.

He juggled the line-up around when the offense was abysmal. Now the offensive numbers are with the best in baseball.

Help is on the way as well. Edinson Volquez threw five shutout innings in AA Lynchburg. Combined in two starts—eight innings, three hits, zero runs, zero walks, seven k’s—batting average against .111.

Volquez should be back in mid-July. Bill Bray hasn’t allowed a run in three innings at AAA Louisville. Homer Bailey hopefully will be back before the end of June, and Hannigan will return the next week.

So now the schedule makers send the Reds to the west coast for six games against the Mariners and A’s. They are 13-32 on the West coast over the past four years, including 2-7 last year.

Awful.

But this is a different team. The new-look Reds are capable of winning five of six in the next week. But will they fold up into a ball and get home-sick on the West Coast?

This road trip will be a telling sign for the new look Reds, as will the rest of the slate till the All-Star break. Seven games against the Phillies, three at New York and four at Wrigley against the Cubs. Can the Reds handle this stretch of playing 17 of their next 23 on the road? This next stretch will be a very telling sign for the Reds.

“We’re a bunch of fightin’ fools,” reserve outfielder Lanyce Nix said.

Yup sums it up.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com


MLB Week 11 Power Rankings: The Stephen Strasburg Show

So how did the most hyped debut in Major League Baseball history end up? I think he did alright. Stephen Strasburg reached 101 mph on the radar gun. He fanned 14 batters and had zero walks. Most importantly, he got a W.

You could tell just how great Strasburg’s stuff was by reading the body language of those around home plate. Time after time, the knees of Pittsburgh Pirates hitters buckled when Strasburg threw curveballs, and time after time, those batters were whiffing badly.

On Sunday, he picked up his second major league victory over the Cleveland Indians. It’s safe to say that he’s passed the test so far.

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MLB Power Rankings, Week 10: Draft Notes, All-Star Votes and One Big Goat

Busy week for America’s pastime and there is no end in site. Led by one of the most controversial calls ever. We all know Jim Joyce made the wrong call to ruin Armando Galarraga perfect game. But he did everything right after it.

On the very same night one of the greatest players of all time retires in Ken Griffey Jr. The Orioles fired manager Dave Trembley. More to come this week…

The MLB draft kicks off on Monday night and the All-Star ballots are filling up as the summer heats up.

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