As good as Ethier is, Phillips, Alonso, and Harang is a lot to give up. No interest in Castillo.

Gomes wOBA: .373 for ‘09, Andre’s = .375

I mean, sure, Gomes could be a relative fluke, in which case I wouldn’t mind throwing Heisey into the mix…and Heisey is a plus defender (right?) and I’d like to see the Reds try the Mariner’s way of doing things.

As much as I like high-OBP SS’s with names straight out of American Psycho, I’d prefer they do it above A-league before I start salivating. And Belisario is certainly fun-looking chaff, Burton-esque chaff…but all the same, chaff. I don’t think the bullpen is what’s keeping Los Amazings out of the playoffs, even if y’all apparently gave a 40-year-old Japanese dude 27 innings last year.

The Reds give up 3 of their, oh, lets say 8 most valuable players for someone who is marginally better than the (breakout factor)/probability of bust) of an in-house option and a free agent. The Dodgers don’t really gain anything for next year when they’re trying to make their big push while Manny is still around and the infield hasn’t completely withered away.

I mean, yeah, the Mets win out, and that’s wonderful. But neither other team has anything to show for it. I’m afraid it’s time to go back to the drawing board

castillo’s old and even if reese turns out good, giving up 2 established major leaguers and a plus prospect is way too much

So, the Reds lose power, defense, a good SP and a trade chip that could be used to fill a real need in the future for what? Not much from what I see. Mets win, everyone else loses. No thanks.

Creates a major hole in the rotation
downgrades us significantly at 2B from a position of strength to a weakness
Reese hit decently at high-A. A lot of those guys end up working at auto dealerships.
Ethier is a lefty, leaving the middle of the order lefty-heavy with Votto-Bruce-Ethier.
Ethier sucks defensively.

Instead, the Reds could sign Jonny Gomes, who’s a righty who might provide similar numbers from the right side. That would cost them roughly $2.3M and none of these 3 studs.

I think part of it is that you guys don’t want to accept the fact that your team needs to shred payroll and try to rebuild for a while.

I think this is why other fanbases are scared of RedReporter. Well, and the swearing. And the catjacks

Why don’t we just release everybody and pay minor leaguers the minium? Then we’d win!

and I’m a loser, so let’s have a look at a ridiculous internet baseball trade:

The Reds give up:
Aaron Harang: The Reds’ #1/2 starter. He’s coming off an injury shortened season, but was still worth every one of the $11M they paid him last year. His trade value has probably never been lower. He’s got one more guaranteed year on his contract.

Brandon Phillips: One of the top 3 or 4 2B in the league. He’s owed less than $19M over the next two seasons; he’s been worth $27.5M over the previous 2.

Yonder Alonzo: The Reds’ top draft pick a year ago, and already considered the #2 prospect in the system.

The Reds get:

Andre Ethier: A good hitting, crappy fielding RF. Of course, the Reds already have a good hitting, Gold Glove caliber RF, so he’d be shifted to LF; the same position the Reds’ ready now #1 prospect is going to play until 2B opens up, and the same as the Reds’ about a year away #4 prospect is going to end up at. In fact, if there’s anything the Reds don’t really need long term, it’s a crappy fielding LF. Ethier just finished the first of his 4 arb years (he was a super-2), so his salary is going to escalate quickly. In a nutshell, he’s probably what Alonzo will be in 5 years, except alot more expensive.

Luis Castillo: Ugh. He’s older than Phillips, is a worse hitter and much worse fielder, and plays the same position as the Reds’ #1 prospect. He’ll make $12M over the next two seasons, he’s been worth less than $10M the last two, and will be 34 next year.

Reese Havens: Couldn’t tell you a thing about him, which is significant. Last year, he was a 22 year old who didn’t exactly tear up high-A ball. The Mets’ #7 prospect.

So the Reds give up 2 important pieces over the next year or two (Harang has a team option for $12.75M for ‘10, which I’d think they’ll pick up if he does anything at all this year) plus their #2 prospect (who may be ready by the trade deadline) for a decent OF who’s going to rapidly get expensive (negating the cost savings in the trade), a 34-year old salary dump, and a light-hitting middle-infielder who’s at least 3 years away.

You’re right. We’re not looking at this correctly.

but Castillo, though he has some value, has ALOT of holes for his contract price, more of a salary dump on a good trade than a principal, and this kid from LA sounds less than stellar. Not close to enough return for two key players and a blue chip prospect. Also, no way I see LA doing this either; they’re nowhere near rebuilding, and aren’t gonna dump a still cheap key contributor like Ethier for prospects any time soon.

Does Bobby = Bill Bavasi?

Cars are "Cool’
Mads Drools

Good lord.