Do you think anybody in the minor league system not currently on the 40-man roster should be considered untouchable?

But I’m pretty sure we’ll see Javy back in a Reds uniform next year.

I’ll redocrate your basement and give you a brand new superfast computer, and even let you touch a girl, if you give me Johnny Cueto.

but i dont want to see Hairston back at all. i really like what he did this year, but its the most obvious case of fluke you can come across. id offer him minor league deal and tell him to prove that he can do it again, but he wouldnt take that. take a bow, Cherry. its over.

as for the bullpen free agents, i would offer them all arbitration. Affeldt will clearly get 3 years this offseason and we should not be the ones to do that. we can take the pick and say goodbye.

Weathers is a bit more complicated. he seems to like it in Cincy and he’s pitched well, and of course the VPness helps. i get the feeling he could get 2 years from someone though, and i dont want to do that.

Lincoln is a strange case. i think we were all surprised he even made it out of spring training, and then he stuck with the team all year and pitched adequately, given his circumstances. it will be interesting to see what rolls out. im really afraid of Mike Stanton.

Baller middle relievers are nice, but aren’t the difference between this and 88 wins. I’d put Owings/Bailey/Thompson ahead of him, probably in that order. I’m also a big fan of Encarnacion still, but I think his fan club is falling fast. Not that he’s the sort of person to build a team around, but he sure ain’t bad.

Moral of the story: this team sucks.

to be an “”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_caste_system" >Untouchable."

I’m PUMPED about the games today!

(or I’m bored at work, one or the other)

I’ll Burn My Reds Hat if Traded:
1. Jay Bruce – 22 year old stud in the making. Should be the cornerstone of the team for years to come.
2. Joey Votto – Needs to be a bit less venturesome on defense; otherwise another guy to keep around for a while.
3. Johnny Cueto – I don’t know if he’ll be an ace, but young and certainly a solid #2.
4. Aaron Harang – He’s the ace of the club. I fully expect next year to be as good as, or better than, ’07.

Stuck With Him:
5. Yonder Alonzo – Not in a bad way, mind you, but by the rules he can’t be traded. I just hope either he or Votto can play a different position.
6. Francisco Cordero – Only because of his contract; otherwise, he’d drop 3 categories.

I’d Be Disappointed, But You Have To Give Up Talent To Get Talent:
7. Edinson Volquez – ERA through May 31: 1.46. After: 4.15, which I think is closer to his real ability. That would be awfully valuable, but selling high (for the right return) wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
8. Brandon Phillips – The best defender on the team, but everyone in the organization seems to vastly overestimate his offense.
9. Bronson Arroyo – I was famously wrong when they traded for him. It would be tough to replace what he gives this team.
10/11/12. Homer Bailey/Daryl Thompson/Ramon Ramirez – One of these guys will be the #5 starter next year; one of the others should be the cornerstone of the Holliday trade.
13. Edwin Encarnacion – As much as I hate to say it, a change of scenery would do him a lot of good.
14/15/16. Bill Bray/Jared Burton/Josh Roenicke – No reliever is untouchable ever; these three, though, are a solid foundation in the bullpen.

No Good Reason to Trade/Dump Him, but See What He Brings:
17. Chris Dickerson – I believe 2500 minor league PA more than 120 in the bigs. At worst, though, he’s a solid 4th OF.
18. Ryan Hanigan – I think he deserves to be considered the starting catcher next year.
19. Wilkin Castillo – I know Dusty’s hands were somewhat tied, but why not get this guy some time behind the plate this year?
20. Mikah Owings – I hope that this time next year we’ll be able to say we got something of value for Dunn; I’m not optimistic so far.
21. Danny Herrera – Should be given a chance in ST.

More Valuable To Someone Else
22. Alex Gonzalez – Sorry, AGon. With Mark Ellis at 2B and BP sliding to SS, we don’t need you any more.
23. Jeff Keppinger – Someone will overpay for his scrappiness.
24. Ryan Freel – If he’s healthy.

Role Players Who Won’t Kill The Club
25. Matt Belisle
26. Bobby Livingston
27. Nick Masset
28. Tyler Pelland
29. Adam Rosales
30. Paul Janish
31. Danny Richar
32. Norris Hopper
33. Craig Tatum

So Long, It’s Been Good To Know You
34. Gary Majewski
35. David Weathers
36. Javier Valentin
37. Josh Fogg
38. Andy Phillips
39. Mike Lincoln

Free Agents I’d Ask About
40. Matt Belisle – He’ll ask for, and someone will give him, 3 years. I hope it’s not the Reds.
41. Jerry Hairston – If he can be had for 2 yrs/$5M or less, he’d be worth keeping around. Otherwise, let him walk.

he may want to be traded if he isnt starting next year for the Dodgers. (hattip to traderumors). he was disappointing in ’07, and worse than Corey Patterson this year. he looks totally washed up, and all at the ripe old age of 31.

but im not sure. what if the Dodgers ate his salary to get rid of him? what if he re-dedicates himself this offseason to prove all us naysayers wrong? could he be part of the answer to outfield question for one year, if the price were right (nothing)? i dont know. call me crazy i guess.

But who is Craig Tatum?

I could see an argument for keeping Andy Phillips around, but not on the 40-man. Bring him into spring training and let him fight with Castillo and Cabrera (or wait—is he already gone?) for a bench position. We need a RH bench bat with some versatility, and we need guys battling for that spot in March.

Still, that’s back-end of the roster. I’m more concerned about 3B. Not sure EdE can cut it defensively. Is Keppinger a steadier hand, if a less dynamic bat?

I think it’s probably best for all concerned if Andy Phillips moves on. Clearly, he’s not going to get much playing time as long as Dusty Baker is filling out the lineup card. (Congrats on the new baby, Andy, and hope you find a team that better fits your talents next year.)

They’ve already said Bako’s not coming back, but he’s one on your “Bye Bye” list that I wouldn’t mind seeing returning. Especially if Hanigan is traded. Not because he’s all that great, but because catching talent is so thin these days. Chad Moeller played 40 games for the Yankees this season, fer crissakes.