Reds interested in Rolen, Atkins? Update: Rolen deal not likely.

by jsl413 on Jul 10, 2009 10:57 AM EDT

Apparently Walt Jocketty does not like Edwin Encarnacion very much. In a rumor corroborated to some extent by the Fay and Troy Renck of the Denver Post, there have been some discussions between the Reds and Rockies about Garret Atkins. According to Renck, talks have involved relievers, and would reportedly have to involve someone like Masset, and a pricier arm to make salaries work for the Reds. The Fay, on the other hand denies that the Reds are interested, and seemed to suggest that Masset was not a likely trade chip (thank you, Walt!)

Another intriguing 3B option that has apparently been considered is the ~~ancient~~ Scott Rolen, who has been tearing the cover off the ball in Toronto this year. Bob Elliot of the Toronto Sun seems to think that some sort of Encarnacion for Rolen trade could be in the works. I'm not sure how this would work out for the Reds without some heavy cash considerations from the Jays. Rolen would cost $10,000,000 more than Encarnacion next year, as he completes the final two years of an 8-year deal he had with Philly.

The only things we can really take away from this news is that the Reds are looking to add a bat at 3B, and don't seem to be too happy with Edwin. There is no apparent pressing news that they're looking to get a rental CF or SS, which seem like they should be more pressing needs given the (lack of) quality of play we've seen at those positions. At least Walt is being active. I'm interested to follow the next couple weeks!

Update: Rolen deal not likely. Hal McCoy writes that the Reds rumors of late are pretty much all false. Catch up on your rumor news here.

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I don't want those guys.

They are good, don’t get me wrong. Are they major upgrades over Encarnacion? I’m not so sure. Reds need two things right now: a new manager and a shortstop. The Reds might as well trade for Orlando Cabrera. He isn’t amazing, but he is a major upgrade over any SS the Reds have been fielding. Plus, he isn’t expensive and we wouldn’t have to give up much to get him. Billy Beane would be glad to trade him since he signed a one year deal.

As for a new manager, I don’t know if they can hire Willy Randolph away from the Brewers. If I remember correctly, there was a clause in Willy’s contract stating that if a Manager position opened up, he would be able to get out of the contract.

by fifawcs on Jul 10, 2009 11:19 AM EDT reply actions

Wow

I’m suprised they have interest in Rolen and sent a scout to watch him. If we are going to buy, why not buy big and go for Rolen and Halladay.
Rolen makes 11 this year and 11 next
Halladay makes 14.25 this year and 15.75 next.

Say for those two, we send Harang (12.5 this & 12.75 next), Encarnacion, (2 this, 4.75 next) By my math that adds about 5.5 Million to this year (if you account the year is basically half over), and 9.25 million to next year. Maybe if the Jays are in full sale mode, we can get them to toss in Scutaro as well.

Obviously you’d still have to toss in atleast 3 quality prospects as well. I say Blue Jays would like to do Halladay as a seperate deal all together, as he will be the this year’s CC Sabathia. So no way the above happens. Nice to dream though, huh?

I’s be all about a trade for Rolen & Scutaro for Encarnacion, Maloney, and Burton

Find me on MySpace- http://www.myspace.com/mixfmkyle

by MixFMKyle on Jul 10, 2009 11:25 AM EDT reply actions

BTW

Scutaro is a FA after this year, and is only making 1.1 Million

Find me on MySpace- http://www.myspace.com/mixfmkyle

by MixFMKyle on Jul 10, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Reds are not getting Halladay under any circumstances

Cards have reportedly given the Jays their pick of any set of 4-5 prospects in their organization in return. I think the Reds have a better farm, but their not going to bet it on Halladay.

I don’t understand why SS isn’t priority 1, along with a legitimate OF power bat.

I got to go down to the stadium and whip batteries at the players on both teams. - Philly Boy Roy

by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Jul 10, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah, I agree

I think Scutaro could be a nice, cheap upgrade.

Find me on MySpace- http://www.myspace.com/mixfmkyle

by MixFMKyle on Jul 10, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

The Cards system is very not good

by Brian B on Jul 10, 2009 2:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

The eight-year deal was with the Cards, no?

"Sir, can you please put your pants back on?"

by Ash on Jul 10, 2009 12:53 PM EDT reply actions

Yes

He asked out of Philly, then signed the contract with St. Louis.

by ken on Jul 10, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

i thought he was traded for Placido Polanco?

by Charlie Scrabbles on Jul 10, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, he asked to be traded

The contract/extension was signed after the trade, iirc.

by ken on Jul 10, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions

ah

by Charlie Scrabbles on Jul 10, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Sorry if this is the case!

I was just citing the Toronto Star guy.

by jsl413 on Jul 10, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh, no worries - I was just confused at first, thinking he had

gone from the Cards to Phillies then to the Jays somehow. Lazy Toronto Star guy!

"Sir, can you please put your pants back on?"

by Ash on Jul 10, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

interesting

I gotta think, where’s there’s smoke, there’s fire. They wanted DeRosa at least partly because he can play 3B. Dunno if Rolen makes sense, but I would bet they are trying to upgrade at 3B.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on Jul 10, 2009 9:11 PM EDT reply actions

BubbaFan is on the money

They’d better be thinking about LF, CF and SS while they’re at it.

One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.
George Carlin

by Madville on Jul 10, 2009 10:36 PM EDT reply actions

Already missed the boat on SS

I know he’s no all-star, but how could you not excited about Yuniesky Betancourt at short for the Reds? His name is Yuniesky! That’s sweet. Seriously though, what about Cristian Guzman? I know he’s grossly overpaid at $8 mil. What is his contract status? Maybe Washington would pay some of it if he’s near the end?

by coocooforcocoapuffs on Jul 10, 2009 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Pretty sure I sense your sarcasm re: Betancourt

but Officer Dibble used to have a hard on for him around here. Just want to make sure everyone agrees he’s horrible.

by Red Menace on Jul 11, 2009 3:42 AM EDT up reply actions

DFA Tavares and send Bruce down to figure things out, then bring up a couple of the kids; Fire Dusty

That would solve alot of problems.

by Dude Rock on Jul 11, 2009 5:51 PM EDT reply actions

yeah

like the two or three runs we score per game

Made from 100% Recycled Awesome,

by 'tHan on Jul 11, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm sad because now Jay is hurt.

by jsl413 on Jul 11, 2009 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Encarnicion

I have never been a fan of his. His glove is OK but his bat has been nothing to get excited about. I wouldn’t look at Rolan because I think he is just having a fluke of a season. I’d deal Rhodes because for the life of me I don’t know why people get excited about this guy. He has been everywhere you can imagaine and has not made an impact anywhere. Deal these two and see what you can get.

by Martrick on Jul 13, 2009 1:25 AM EDT reply actions