Kearns to the Yankees?

Hope giving them back Claussen :-)

On first glance, I like it. Solid prospects. Good numbers. Solves one of the Reds big problems. Puts Pena in the game.

I've always felt that Kearns was the odd man out in this mess. If Griffey could be sold, misplaced, kidnapped or otherwise convinced to go to the AL, then Kearns is worth keeping, but I'm one of those people who think Pena is worth a ton of offense to this team.

Of course, at this point, I would take two little leaguers and a Golden Retriever for Danny Graves, with negotiation possible on the Retriever.

Since rumors are always true, let's see here...

Reds give up a 24 year old with MVP talent who was tearing up the league two years ago before Ray King flopped on him.

Reds get a 2nd baseman...don't they already have two fairly decent options there?

And Reds get a pitcher who has never been considered any type of prospect (even in New York!), but just came off a pretty good start.

I guess Dan might just be following the old adage: Sell low, buy high.  That is how that goes, right?

If they make this deal, I may have to stop following/caring for awhile.

A young Yankee pitcher who has 1 good outing on his resume. Sounds like someone else I know.....Who could it be???   CLAUSSEN! We know how that acquisition has looked so far.

Do not trade Kearns for anything less than a great prospect.  Cano is decent, but we don't need a second baseman.  And Wang, are you kidding me, he has average stuff.  Brandon Claussen all over again.  

NO.  NO.  NO.  NO.

His stuff is decent.  Fastball at 88-94.  Mostly 90 though.  So he throws a little harder than Claussen who has been sitting at 87.  

Has a slider that is between 81-85 but not much bite.  Not a plus pitch.  If located well it is effective, but certainly not an out pitch.

The last pitch I saw he jacked up a fastball to 94, but thats by far the hardest I've seen him through.

We should not give up Kearns for him.  He's at best a 5 starter, even in our rotation.

I wouldn't even talk to the Yankees unless they bring a team with a farm system into the discussion.  Oakland, the Red Sox, even the Cubs would be much better partners if we are going to make the only move that really matters.

If we deal Kearns we better fill a need with a player ready to contribute and with All Star potential.  After suffering through Aurelia and the apparent lack of faith in the organization in Lopez, I'd be looking for a SS.  The Red Sox have Hanley Ramirez and Renteria blocking him for the next several years.  It would be great to get a quality young pitcher (A Dan Haren type), but I don't have any faith in the organization's ability to recognize one if offered.  

Regardless, we should wait until we are closer to the deadline to be making the big move, and get more than we would get now.  Trading Austin when he is hitting 230 is silly.

I would also explore moving Casey before I traded Kearns.  You might as well take the heat when everyone is hating the team anyway, but I would prefer to get some value for him while we can, because by next year he won't have any.  The Mets are looking for a 1B, and there have to be other contenders where he would help.  With only one more year, the contract is not a huge barrier.  OF defense gets better (particularly if Jr. moves to a corner) and WMP is in the lineup every day (also balances out the lineup a little).

We all love the guy, but sometimes you have to choose between player loyalty and what's best for the team.

I agree with all of the above comments. The only comparable trade I can think of is when the Cardinals traded J.D. Drew to the Braves for Marquis, Wainwright and Eli Marrero. Kearns and Drew are two perfect examples of how injuries can retard a player's learning process (i.e. needed AB's, pitch reconition and building confidence). I just would love to see them dump Griff's contract. I have read Kearns, if healthy, projects to be a Kevin McReynolds (remember him?)type of hitter. I agree with that comparison. Oakland matches up well the Reds.  

On redszone.com, a lot of talk was mentioned about making a deal with the Blue Jays for acquiring SS Aaron Hill and P Josh Banks. I say do it! Throw Kearns and Jimenez to the Jays. Researching, I went over to baseballamerica.com and minorleaguebaseball.com and saw these guys are doing great in AAA and AA. Solid all-around prospects. Last year's Futures Game MVP, Hill can also play third base, will hit for power - average. Banks projects to be a no. 2 or no. 3 in a rotation. Another intriguing option is P Jason Arnold - very effective out of the BP. The future infield would be set w/ Encarnacion, Hill, Lopez/Bergolla and Casey. Also, cheap where money can be placed into the Pitching staff - Dunn's future contract.  

If we're interested in trading with the Yankees. How about if we replace Kearns' name in the proposal with Graves. Graves for Cano & Wang. Yanks are looking for bullpen help - we need bullpen help (addition by subtraction). Looks like a win-win. Then whatever Cano and Wang do is just icing on the cake!

How about this: Ken Griffey Jr. for Kevin Brown straight up.  Both are players in the twilight of their careers making a little over 10 million, the difference is that Brown's contract is up sooner.  And hey, you never know, a move to the NL might help Brown, and a move to the DH might help Griffey.