Pitching is only going to become more expensive as time goes by.  Given his recent return to form, if Arroyo were a free agent at the end of this year (as he was prior to the $25 million two-year extension), he could easily get $15 million a year.

I don't see why Saltamacchia is such a need here.  Our offense is solid.  We have a great base of 2B and 3B, two outstanding outfielders and one possible star if he can stay healthy, a great prospect at 1B, a decent catcher who should settle into hitting around .250 and isn't a defensive liability...

The only position needs I see at this point are at short and perhaps in the outfield, depending on how Hobbs does.  The needs of this team almost solely lie in pitching.

That said, I think that a solid-hitting catcher allows a lot more to be done with more dynamic  starting line-ups and late-inning pinch-hit situations.

So put me down for "Kucinich."

We need a hitting catcher. And we've got to get at Banger at first base- I think Votto's that guy. In a year or so we'll need a guy to replace or give breathing room for Grif, plus Freel may not be around long either, one too many bonks in the head. Maybe Bruce is the guy for that job. I think we're fine w/Gonzo at shortstop.

So trade Hatte,Bronson,Freel,Conine,and Ross. Get what you can for Castro and DFA Moeller. A competent GM should be able to get some decent pitching somewhere out of that group of available players. We got a couple of prospect on the way Homer and Dumatrait...Who knows, the way things are going we might just get back into the race THIS year.

They love them some Keppinger.

They not too fond them some Edwin.

...It was funny that the subject came up during Marty's "questions" for C Trent.

Marty: I wanna know what you think about what I think about this topic, young man.

C Trent:  Mmhmm.  Yeah.  Right.  Umm... I guess I dunno.

Marty:  He's not gonna be here next year.  And neither is that slacker we got on third today.

I'd also like to echo what little Ross love there is here.  Ross won't hit for average like Salty probably will, but he has power.  He calls a good game and his arm is one of the best in the league.  I'm happy to stick with him, particularly if it means holding on to a valuable pitcher like Bronson.  I'm in definite agreement that pitching is the one area where we really must improve.  Those improvements are needed more in the pen, but our starting pitching isn't so deep that you can easily replace what Arroyo gives you.  He's a horse, but it's also time to put that "rubber arm" tag to bed once and for all.  When he gets used to the tune of 129 pitches on back to back outings, he's going to suffer a drop off.  He has seemingly shrugged off those ill effects and is pitching well again, although he (and Matt Cain)provides an excellent case study of why wins are a misleading statistic for a pitcher.

To me, Salty isn't worth breaking up the core of what could really be a great pitching staff.  I am happy to stick with Ross, and hopefully our draft pick this year will progress rapidly.  If we're contending in '08, obviously he won't be of help then, but I think Arroyo and Ross help this team more than Salty and ...?

Interesting fellow that Davey. I liked the fact that he supports the idea of every player knowing their role and that the manager has to implement their role opportunities consistently. I also agree with his comments about the manager having to be 'right all the time'. By that I took him to mean that the manager has to be consistent in what he requires from his players. Including their  professional and competitive behavior on the field, in the dugout, in the clubhouse and in the community. I think that Davey has had a lot problems with owners because he demands the same kind of adherence to hard work, competitiveness, openness and consistency from management as he does from himself and his players.Most owners don't care for uppity 'help'.... Oh and his name ain't Johnson for nothing - the man can be a real prick.

of course, it's just 14 games and he's an 18-year-old in his first couple weeks of pro ball. i just hope krivsky doesnt suddenly think he made a terrible mistake with him.

Then swing a deal with the Yankees to take Hatteberg and Ross off our hands for Farnsworth and a young starting pitching prospect.

Call up Votto and Dumatrait, and see what our youngsters can do.

No reason to deal Dunn or Griffey. I'd rather deal these vets -- Hatteberg, Weathers, Stanton -- for the future.

The Reds are almost certain to move right-hander Kyle Lohse, but they're telling clubs that neither right-hander Bronson Arroyo nor right-hander Aaron Harang is available. Arroyo has produced five straight quality starts, lowering his ERA from 5.14 to 4.51. Both he and Harang are signed to reasonable salaries through 2010 with club options for '11 . . .

Also in the same article a bit about Adam Dunn.

  ...There is a potential deal to be made here, but the price could be high.

The Reds. Sure, Ken Griffey Jr. would look nice in that No. 5 hole, but he is also signed for next year ($12.5 million) and has had lots of injury problems. Still, Cincinnati is always looking to move money and might have some interest in the cost-controlled Coco Crisp [stats], as well as prospects.

    The Reds also have bullpen help to move in David Weathers, but can't the Sox do better?