Is it time to start looking trade?

It must always be an option.

I think people just need to start dealing with the reality that we will not contend this year. Why mortgage the farm?

He’s just under-rated as a gap to gap hitter (although not under-paid, which is why I voted for the possible rental of Willingham, who could always be non-tendered at the end of the year)

and if Maloney isn’t going to be the real deal, go and get Pedro Martinez to be our #5. No one is breaking down his door. Or is this just the crack talking?

probably is cost prohibitive all the way around. His contract is hefty for the remainder of the year, Oakland will want top prospects (think Neftali Soto in any deal). Also, Billy Beane realizes the value of the two draft picks Holliday will bring in the 2010 draft. If the Reds are serious, though, Holliday is the guy to get.

DeRosa greatly interests me. Cleveland didn’t give much to get him, which is the fault of the Cubs. Would you give Burton and Juan Francisco for him? DeRosa could help quite a bit this season and net a pair of 2010 draft choices if he walks, which would be fine with me. Is that worth paying the rest of his $5.5 million contract? If Cleveland is smart, though, it will play the Reds against the Cardinals and any other team looking to acquire DeRosa, driving up the price to trade for him.

Scott is interesting, although he hasn’t played the field much this season. Of course, Baltimore has a loaded young outfield, forcing him into the DH role. He has hit well from both sides of the plate, which gives him an edge on Gomes, and is signed to a $2.4 million, one-year contract. Baltimore likely will want young IF prospects or, of course, an arm. Francisco? Burton? Roenicke?

Sticking with Baltimore, what about Aubrey Huff? He’s looking more like the medicore 2007 Huff than the 2008 standout, although he performed OK batting cleanup. If Votto is out for an extended period, Huff (33) can play 1B. He’s not good at 3B nor in LF, but can play either if need be. Huff is a free agent after the season and likely will be at least a Type B, quite possibly a Type A, meaning decent draft pick compensation is likely. He’s making $8 this year.

Hairston never had impressed me until this season, but finally might be putting it all together at age 29. He even hits well at Petco. San Diego needs essentially everything other than a 3B. That opens a lot of possibilites. Burton? Roenicke? Ramirez? Dorn? I’d hate to give Maloney, but no doubt any team the Reds deal with will ask for him.

Willingham’s already 30 and doesn’t do anything well enough to impress me as a difference maker, although his numbers are comparable to Huff’s at a lot less salary. Washington likely would have interest in the same prospects discussed above.

Good post MixFMKyle.

I would say go for it this year. Since his status is a major unknown, I would wait and see. If he comes back and we are a few games back, I would trade some minor league talent. If it looks like he is going to be down for an extended period of time, I would wait till next season.

Jocketty’s Oakland A’s roots may make a deal for Holliday more feasible. He landed Big Mac and Mulder via the A’s while in St.L.

He’d fit in welcome on this team while the Reds are still TBD on Votto, and Willingham can always hit, then slip to LF when Votto comes back. And the Reds have plenty of innings-eaters they can give up to the Nats. I say that it’s the best call.

But I think the Reds should stand pat for another 3 weeks or so. If they’re still 3-5 games out at the end of the month, then lets see them get an outfielder (or 3B…Beltre?) to run for it.

I’m still firmly on the Beltre bandwagon. Unfortunately, it looks like the Mariners are, too.

I don’t have a great feel for it, but it seemed that a couple of teams got burned during the offseason that way. That’s why I’m saying “No” to Holliday— I’d go that route if Votto were healthy and the Reds needed a boost to get over the hump.
I went Willingham as the best 1B option without spending much. I’m fearful that Jo-eh may need a full season (a la Zack Greinke). Unless I’m very confident about draft pick compensation, I can’t spend the money on DeRosa, so Willingham is the best choice at 1B.
Why give up anything at all if it can’t push the Reds to the playoffs?? Well, I worry that the psyche of this young team is too fragile to let them flounder on offense for the rest of the season. Willingham is something of a steadying, reliable offensive presence.

is for his career is around (7) UZR/150 at every infield position with the trend getting worse(hes 34).
Hairston is plus defensively except for SS- and this year is +14 at 3rd base which if you have watched Jerry has a great glove at 3rd.
Derosa projection on zips is 5 basis points higher than Jerry- but overall value Jerry clearly projects as the better player.
Taveras is horrible and shouldnt be on this team.
But I dont see Walt making a big move and the move may be in the opposite direction dealing Arroyo or Harang. And that may be the best strategy- with Votto uncertain- it may becoming close to building for 2010.

….people put too much stock in trades. You rarely get what you want, especially if you lack the talent to trade away (or have to give up too much to get what you want). Unless you’re trading for minor league talent, the best trades are the ones you don’t make. Somehow, I doubt anyone wants to trade for some A and AA players/pitchers, for 2011. So, I say you should have an option for none of the above.