Red Reposter/Retweeter - Exasperated Richard Schiff wonders, "If Pythagoras was so smart, then how come he's dead?"

The question of Bronson Arroyo's health has been vocalized by Reds brass
"When guys struggle, you don't always know. It's one of those things where everyone wants to have an answer," Price said. "One thing that is obvious is that it's not like he's getting beat throwing a series of good pitches. When he gets beat they're usually mistakes, and they're typically clustered. It's typically an inning, a big inning, a multiple-run inning that hurts him."

Arroyo has given up 30 home runs so far this year, just one shy of his career high mark which was set in two different seasons where he pitched 100 more innings than he has right now. Something is not right. Whatever that something is, it's time we figure it out. Unfortunately, the $30 mil or so the Reds still owe him leaves them with few options. Had they just picked up the option as I had suggested (why don't they ever listen to me?) they could quietly and mercifully DFA him right now. But they have too much invested in him now and they need to figure out what is wrong with him and what he is still capable of.

This story isn't all doom-and-gloom though. We all know Bronson is a notable 2nd half horse, making his bones in the heat of the summer. He's struggled in the first half before and bounced back down the stretch. Maybe he still has that in him. Maybe the mono really sapped him and he just doesn't have the stamina to make it through the long season. A good month off relaxing on the Nasty Hook could be all that he needs to bounce back. This isn't an absolutely hopeless situation right here. There is still the possibility that he can rebound. He's done it numerous times before. We just have to hope he can do it again.

Troy Renck at the Denver Omelette Post says the Yankees are the frontrunner for Ubaldo Jimenez now
with the Reds "nosediving". But he again stipulates that the Rockies don't need to deal Jimenez. He's cheap and young and, if need be, can be dealt after the season. Personally, I don't see the Rockies budging from their high demands simply because, as Renck says, they just don't have to. If they don't get what they want for him, they can keep him. That's what I would do with my good young cheap pitchers.

I promised you I wouldn't do this ever again
but this one isn't completely horrible, I promise you. This guy over at Bleacher Report (I know I know, just hear me out jeez) thinks the Reds should keep Yonder Alonso rather than package him in a deal for Ubaldo Jimenez (or anyone else for that matter). His argument is that Alonso is the kind of talent that can make the Reds into an offensive juggernaut. His power may still be a question mark, but his hit tool and OBP skills are going to make him a perfect complement to the rest of the guys in the middle of the Reds lineup. I've been of the mind that Alonso is most valuable to the Reds as a trade piece, but I would be lying if this fella didn't make me think twice about that.

Remember Jared Burton?
He's back! In pog form! Err...I mean, he's back in AAA on a rehab assignment. "It's been great," Burton said. "It feels as good as I've felt my whole career. It's so much more free and easy. I'm not getting sore after my outings, which had never been the case. My velocity is coming along pretty good. I was 91-94 mph in my third outing. It's only going to get better with arm strength."

He pitched just four games last year and hasn't pitched at all this year, but he's worked really hard and is making his way back. If he can get back to the Burt he was in '07-'08 we'd have another Nick Masset/Logan Ondrusek in the 'pen. That's definitely something to keep an eye on moving forward.

MLBTR has cobbled together some rumors about the Reds wanting a cost-controlled, middle-of-the-order bat
and the White Sox willingness to deal Carlos Quentin. The two have not been specifically linked yet, to the best of my knowledge, but I think it's an easy set of dots to connect. Quentin is a burly LF who swings from the right side and posts good OBP numbers and good power. He's not at all unlike a right-handed Jay Bruce in many ways.

The major difference is that while Bruce is known as an above-average defender in RF, Quentin is more in the Gomes/Dunn mold in left. Quentin makes about $5 mil this year and is arb-eligible one last time next season, where he could expect to make $8 mil or so. So the real question is just how much better he could be than Chris Heisey/Yonder Alonso and is that worth the handsome cost in money and prospects to get him. I think I'll pass.

This just in:
The Reds are asking the Astros about Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence. I think I would rather have Bourn, but I'm perfectly happy with Drew Stubbs in CF. Would they move Bourn to LF or would Stubbs be part of the deal? I guess we'll have to keep an eye on this one.

Actualizing Retweeter in 5; 4; 3; 2...