Guys.....I'm just throwing this out there, but the Yankees lost their best pitcher in Wang and he is out until September, at least.  That is a long time.  Do you think they are now in desperate need of pitching?

If so......could we package Arroyo with Bailey and Dunn for some of their better prospects?  Like Philip Hughes (who is hurt right now) and one of their young prospects, like Austin Jackson, Brett Gardner, Ian Kennedy or Jesus Montero.  Then, maybe a throw-in C+ or B level prospect.

Why would the Yankees do it?  Because Arroyo is a proven innings eater who, at times, gets into really good rythym and performs well.  Also, he tends to do better when the league hasn't seen him a lot and there are many players in the AL who haven't seen him for awhile.  They also get a big-time power hitter in Dunn, who they historically have overpaid for.  He would have to split time between OF, DH, and maybe even 1b but I think Steinbrenner would have some interest in him.  And Bailey?  Well, he still has big-time potential, right?  We have to hope they believe that as much as the Reds do.

Why would the Reds do it?  Only if they thought they weren't prepared to sign Dunn and wanted to get something for him.  The Reds get a stud young pitcher, who has not performed well this year but seems to be much more polished than Bailey.  They also would get a top-ten prospect who would be close to major-league ready.  Either Jackson or Gardner gives them lots of speed, good defense, and Gardner gives them high OBP.  From my reading, Jackson seems more toolsy, but I'm not sure as I've not seen him play.  Montero is a power-hitting catcher.  Kennedy would give us depth at pitcher. 

Anyway, you may hate this idea.  However, with the Yankees present situation, I would love to hear your takes on it.

Let me ask all of you this........Would you be willing to package Griffey with Homer Bailey to Seattle for Jeff Clement and a B-level prospect in the lower minors....say High A?

Now.......I'm not a Homer basher at all.  I think he will eventually "get it" but maybe not at the stud status everyone thought.....or maybe he will.  Even so, the Reds get a stud-hitting catcher and contribute to their up-and-coming pitchers.  Now........doing this still leaves us in a bind for a 5th starter.  I've been very disappointed in Belisle, who I really thought would improve this year.  Fogg is either pretty solid or absolutely horrible, and........well.....who else?  Maloney seems to be picking up steam and Thompson has been great at AA but do we have anyone that could carry us ENOUGH as a 5th starter to warrant this trade?

Please.......opinions.......rip me apart if you want.......I'm just throwing it out there because the Reds might have to package Griffey with someone or multiple someone's unless he starts tearing it up.

Just a question?  The rumor is that Cleveland may designate him for assignment.  Obviously, he has not done anything to prove his "top prospect" status from only a couple of years ago.  Yet, maybe a change of scenery and patience would help.  Many have suggested put EE in left field if Dunn is traded. 

From what I've heard, he has really started to lose confidence because of the pressure on him.  Right now, we're horrible.......how much pressure could he feel? 

Anyway, I'm not suggesting we do this.  I'm asking for opinions.

It is very conceivable that the Reds would look to trade Griffey after he reaches 600 HR's, especially if the Reds are still playing inconsistently.  The speculation is that he would be traded back to Seattle.  My question is this:  Would you trade Griffey and a prospect (like a Brandon Waring, Maloney, or something like a top 30 prospect) for Jeff Clement?  The Mariners just signed their main catcher to an extension and I read that they have a catching prospect in AA that they're high on.  Clement is said to be average defensively, across the board.  But, he has excellent power, plate discipline, and is said to call a good game.......and has outstanding leadership skills. 

Should the Reds make such a move?

Mlbtraderumors brought up the rumor that the Orioles are not happy with medical reports about Adam Jones' hip.  The same articles suggested that new teams have jumped back into discussions about Bedard.  They listed the Reds as potential suitors.  

If the Seattle rumors are true (about Jones' hip) and Baltimore dropped their price (see the Santana trade) would you be interested in getting Bedard?  

MLB trade rumors reports that Buster Olney has heard this rumor.  What do you guys think?  Is Saltalamacchia worth trading Bronson?  Does anyone have a scouting report on him?

I think trading Arroyo would be okay if we got the right return, just like I have said about trading Dunn.  I really would be interested in everyone's take on this potential trade.

This, I believe, is a significant signing if he has recovered from last year's injury.  Apparently, the Reds are satisfied that he has.  If he can pitch like he did for the White Sox 2 years ago, we might actually make a good run at the division.  What do you guys think?  This could be the closer we pine for.

I listened to the Hot Stove segment with Marty Brennaman last night and I thought it was interesting that he reported that, unlike many others in the Cincy area, he feels that Jeff Conine still has a lot to offer as a baseball player to this team.  He said he didn't care that Conine is 40 years old; that he has always admired Conine and believes that Conine will be a solid contributor to the Reds.  Since Marty is pretty cynical in general, I thought this was an "eyebrow raising" kind of statement.  

Marty also stated that he believes Krivsky has something in mind as far as other deals before spring training.  I hope he is right.  I think one major deal or even semi-major would be enough to make us competitive.  

On the flip side, Marty said he was convinced that the Reds can count on Milton or Lohse being consistent as he only saw flashes of that from them last season.