Freel Activated, Kelly Goes to Nats

[timmario66]

According to Lance's blog:

Reds
IF/OF Ryan Freel today was returned from a rehabilitation assignment at Chattanooga and was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list...a corresponding roster move will be announced prior to tonight's game...
Tomorrow, RHP Ben Weber will be sent to Dayton on a rehab assignment...since 5/9 he has been on the 15-day disabled list with a bulging disc in his neck.

Machado please!!! :pray: If that happens there may be hope for the trade deadline.

[Chip R]

It'll probably be Kenny Kelly since they need 5 middle IFers.

[redsfan30]

I've said it before.....

I swear to the Good Lord if Rey Olmedo goes down.......

:rant:

[Gallen5862]

I am glad to see Freel is coming back. Does Dan risk machado to waivers or use Weathers injury as his excuse to dl him and keep Machado?

[deltachi8]

It will be Olmedo..."We like Ray, he has done a fine job, but right now its important for him to get consistent at bats."

[Gallen5862]

Moderator please delete message number 4. It posted Twice somehow.

[Gallen5862]

Thanks you took care of it.

[Red Leader]

Well, if Weathers goes on the DL, he doesn't get traded as that would take him past the July 31st deadline. I'd hate to see that, and I don't think his injury is that bad (but am not 100% sure). I think it will be Olmedo as well.

[CTA513]

It should be Machado or Kelly, but will probably be Olmedo.

Olmedo shown he can hit and can steal bases, but the Reds need to keep Machado up because hes the Reds water boy.

[NJReds]

It will be Olmedo..."We like Ray, he has done a fine job, but right now its important for him to get consistent at bats."


Yes...I think this is it, exactly. :bang:

[Jpup]

I am glad to see freel is coming back. Does Dan risk machado to waivers or use Weathers injury as his excuse to dl him and keep Machado?

They won't DL Weathers, there is simply no sense to be made in that. He said in the paper this morning that he was Ok and would be back by the weekend. If they want to trade him, they can't DL him anyway.

As for Machado, if he doesn't get exposed, O'brien will have a hard time explaining it. I thought he was the Reds saviour. Why hasn't he played besides the 2 ABs? DanO is an idiot.

[NC Reds]

Rey Olmedo is too productive to keep in Cincy. Far better to keep Machado and play with a 24 man roster. :thumbup:

LeTtz gO ReDz!

[BRM]

From Marc's blog:


The Reds have activated Ryan Freel from the DL and he'll be available tonight. No word yet on the corresponding roster move, but if they send out Olmedo instead of Machado, there will be some serious hammering going on.

Either way, I'm looking forward to asking Freel if he had any spare time in Chattanooga to hang out with D'Angelo.

[BadFundamentals]

Is it possible it could be the Jake?
I love the Jake but he has cooled off a bit. And with all this bench strength (Machado :confused: et al) he's getting fewer pinch hitting opps and almost no spot starts anymore. Not to mention I think Jacob was more of a Miley guy than a Narron/O'Brien guy........

[Joseph]

I bet it will be Kelly. Freel can go back to being more OF than IF, and J-Cru is still around to be a late inning replacement if needed. Apply previous comments about Ray Ray to Kelly.

[BRM]

I bet it will be Kelly. Freel can go back to being more OF than IF, and J-Cru is still around to be a late inning replacement if needed. Apply previous comments about Ray Ray to Kelly.

I can see this happening. It allows Narron to play Freel as a supersub, thus leaving RA as the everyday 2B.

[kjwheels15]

I wouldnt be too upset if Olmedo was sent down because he would stay sharp and play every day. We all need to get used to DanO's love boys (Aurilia, Machado) staying on the roster.

[Danny Serafini]

Kelly has a better chance of getting claimed than Machado, so I can't see him going. I'm guessing Olmedo's reward for batting over .500 is a trip back to Louisville.

[BRM]

Kelly has a better chance of getting claimed than Machado, so I can't see him going. I'm guessing Olmedo's reward for batting over .500 is a trip back to Louisville.

Is Kelly out of options? I didn't think he was.

[KronoRed]

Its going to be Olmedo..no way they send down Machado, they wound't risk him last 2 weeks ago..the won't now.

[CTA513]

Kelly has a better chance of getting claimed than Machado, so I can't see him going. I'm guessing Olmedo's reward for batting over .500 is a trip back to Louisville.

Olmedo already has 4 doubles and 1 triple in 17 at bats this year.
In 2003 he had 6 doubles and 1 triple in 230 at bats.

He can play shortstop, second and he is willing to learn the outfield (which Machado doesnt want to).

:bang:

[deltachi8]

Olmedo already has 4 doubles and 1 triple in 17 at bats this year.
In 2003 he had 6 doubles and 1 triple in 230 at bats.

He can play shortstop, second and he is willing to learn the outfield (which Machado doesnt want to).

:bang:

dont try to apply logic to this....the reds won't...

[timmario66]

From SI.com:

Washington Nationals - Claimed outfielder Kenny Kelly off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds;

Way to go OB :bang: :bang: :bang:

Machado has to stay :bang: :bang: :bang:

[captainmorgan07]

if they send ray down this has to be the last straw for dan'o he has no idea what is best for this team

[captainmorgan07]

and the curse of bowden strikes out again that's it dan'o has to go no question about it

[deltachi8]

if that SI piece is correct, i'm speachless. Dan O needs to be fired.

I'm not saying Kelly is a godsend by anymeans, but this protection of Machado is embarrasing. The Reds lose a player because Dan O cant think a little creatively.

[traderumor]

From SI.com:

Washington Nationals - Claimed outfielder Kenny Kelly off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds;

Way to go OB :bang: :bang: :bang:

Machado has to stay :bang: :bang: :bang:We are talking about fringe vs. fringe here, but that is frustrating

[CTA513]

From SI.com:

Washington Nationals - Claimed outfielder Kenny Kelly off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds;

Way to go OB :bang: :bang: :bang:

Machado has to stay :bang: :bang: :bang:

OMG, I thought you were kidding... then I checked.

The Reds higher ups are mentally handicap and everyone else knows it but them.

[LvJ]

Omgwtfbbq

[deltachi8]

We are talking about fringe vs. fringe here, but that is frustrating

your right, its just icing on the cake for the fire Dan O argument.

[westofyou]

and the curse of bowden strikes out again that's it dan'o has to go no question about it

Bowden has a fetish for speedy CF's, it's almost enough to make Ed Gein blush.

[LvJ]

Nationals claimed outfielder Kenny Kelly off waivers from the Reds.
GM Jim Bowden just can't resist an outfielder with tools. Kelly is a worse player than J.J. Davis, probably Brandon Watson, too. The Nationals will carry him for now, but he should head back to the minors after Tony Blanco and Henry Mateo come off the DL. :/

[westofyou]

your right, its just icing on the cake for the fire Dan O argument.

It's one of those roses that circle the outer rim.

[cumberlandreds]

Stupid,Just totally stupid! :bang: Just further evidence that this organization just has no clue.

[KronoRed]

You've got to be kidding me.

We have NO back up outfielders now :runaway:

[CTA513]

You've got to be kidding me.

We have NO back up outfielders now :runaway:

lol but they have enough infielders to put in both the outfield and infield at the same time.

:laugh:

[zombie-a-go-go]

You've got to be kidding me.

We have NO back up outfielders now :runaway:

I just like this statement... remember when we couldn't find enough ABs for our logjam of OFers? :D

Anyway, yeah, Obie sucks weasel snot.

[NC Reds]

No one sits the bench like Andy Machado!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:luvu: :KoolAid: :runawaycr :beerme: :jump: :rockband: :usa: :obrien:

All Kelly did was outperform Machado at AAA and the MLB level. Big deal. :rolleyes:

[Gallen5862]

Why did he waive Kelly? If you were going to get rid of Kelly you could have gotten something for him. This is crazy losing Kelly to the Nationals for nothing. What has Machado got on Dano? :thumbdown :bang: :rant:

[Petitt33]

What? Kelly goes before Machado. :bang:

[flyer85]

"Off with his head".

Kelly actually had some promise. Having a breakout season and was a late developer due to playing football for 3 years at Miami.

I guess this also settles the fact about Freel going back to 2nd. With Cruz as the only OF on the bench, Freel is now a role/bench player.

[REDREAD]

:laugh: I can only laugh at this.. It's a good thing DanO's love child was protected.

However, there's a good chance that when Wash gets some people off the DL, the Reds will get a chance to reclaim Kelly when the Nats attempt to send him down. Anyone up for Tim Pugh ping pong? (Remember that with the Royals? :laugh: )

[KronoRed]

I just like this statement... remember when we couldn't find enough ABs for our logjam of OFers? :D

Anyway, yeah, Obie sucks weasel snot.

:laugh:
Backups Z, we had 4 starters, now we have 3..and no backups..someone gets hurt in a game..it's Olmedo in the outfield..Casey goes down Dunn goes to 1st..it's Machado.

Cruz? gotta save him to pinch hit ;)

The Reds shattered even my worst expectations :help:

[REDREAD]

What? Kelly goes before Machado. :bang:

Maybe Kelly needed to be "taught a lesson" :laugh:

[KronoRed]

I guess this also settles the fact about Freel going back to 2nd. With Cruz as the only OF on the bench, Freel is now a role/bench player.

Aurilia "won" the 2nd base job ;)

[LvJ]

Olmedo can play LF. ;)

[Chip R]

So we have 5 guys who can play either 2nd or SS?

[CTA513]

:laugh:
Backups Z, we had 4 starters, now we have 3..and no backups..someone gets hurt in a game..it's Olmedo in the outfield..Casey goes down Dunn goes to 1st..it's Machado.

Cruz? gotta save him to pinch hit ;)

The Reds shattered even my worst expectations :help:

Cruz and Freel can play the oufield if needed, and Olmedo is willing to learn the oufield... Machado doesnt want to learn the outfield, has a patch of hair glued to his chin and cant hit at all.

[REDREAD]

:laugh:
Backups Z, we had 4 starters, now we have 3..and no backups..someone gets hurt in a game..it's Olmedo in the outfield..Casey goes down Dunn goes to 1st..it's Machado.

Cruz? gotta save him to pinch hit ;)

The Reds shattered even my worst expectations :help:

Got to love DanO's "brilliant" roster management. The guy is totally incompetent.

[LvJ]

So we have 5 guys who can play either 2nd or SS? :bowrofl:

[guttle11]

Bowden has a fetish for speedy CF's, it's almost enough to make Ed Gein blush.

You dont see an Ed Gein reference every day :thumbup:

[LexingtonRedsFan]

I'm speechless......Please fire DanO before the destroys this organization!

[NC Reds]

gO rEdz! Inn dAnno i Trussst!

The fascination DanO has with Machado and his "potential" is really odd. I can understand liking his glove but the Reds lose games because the pitched ball goes over the wall, not because it scoots through the left side of the infield or up the middle. I would have been shocked if anyone had claimed Machado.

[redsfan30]

Could this mean Austin Kearns is close to coming back?

[LvJ]

Anyone know any snipers? :dunno:

[kjwheels15]

Could this mean Austin Kearns is close to coming back?


If he can't play every day, then I hope not

[redsfan30]

This move makes absolutely no sense unless there is something else in the works.

[REDREAD]

I just realized something.. correct me if I'm wrong but

Didn't we just lose Kelly as a direct result of making Freel do a rehab stint in Chat?

Makes it look like an even dumber idea. Freel was obviously healthy enough to play when activated.

[OldRightHander]

:bang: :bang: :angry: :angry:

[deltachi8]

This move makes absolutely no sense unless there is something else in the works.

Marc's blog is hinting at that (from old red guard)

[LvJ]

I just realized something.. correct me if I'm wrong but

Didn't we just lose Kelly as a direct result of making Freel do a rehab stint in Chat?

Makes it look like an even dumber idea. Freel was obviously healthy enough to play when activated. Yep. :angry:

But, either way - it's all because of Machado.

[Petitt33]

I've a got a small feeling that Aurilia may have been traded. Lancaster's blog says there could be another move on the way, and maybe Aurilia is traded so that Freel gets 2nd base back?

[Joseph]

Maybe Jimbo trades Kelly back for the rights to Blanco

[Sham]

Wow. That's all I can say. Mike Brownesque.

[Chip R]

I just realized something.. correct me if I'm wrong but

Didn't we just lose Kelly as a direct result of making Freel do a rehab stint in Chat?

Makes it look like an even dumber idea. Freel was obviously healthy enough to play when activated. :confused: If they had just activated Freel instead of sending him on a rehab assignment they just would have got rid of Kelly a few days earlier.

[Red Leader]

Maybe Jimbo trades Kelly back for the rights to Blanco

Sweet trade that would be. :rolleyes:

When's the last time a player was traded for a rehab assignment?

[LvJ]

:confused: If they had just activated Freel instead of sending him on a rehab assignment they just would have got rid of Kelly a few days earlier. Kelly was still on the DL. ;)

[CTA513]

I've a got a small feeling that Aurilia may have been traded. Lancaster's blog says there could be another move on the way, and maybe Aurilia is traded so that Freel gets 2nd base back?

Lopez is traded, Aurilia stays at 2nd and Machado is given shortstop... then Freel rides the bench.

:evil:

[redsfan30]

Things have definetly gotten interesting over the past hour.

[Danny Serafini]

Kelly has a better chance of getting claimed than Machado, so I can't see him going.

Well at least I got the first half of that sentence right. :laugh:

[Petitt33]

Lopez is traded, Aurilia stays at 2nd and Machado is given shortstop... then Freel rides the bench.

:evil:
Now if that happened, I would probably hunt down Dan O'Brien and well, I don't know. Any good ideas?

[Chip R]

Kelly was still on the DL. ;)Kelly's gone because DanO has man-love for Machado not because Freel went on a rehab assignment.

[OSURedLeg]

So the Reds drafted Kelly knowing that he was very raw but toolsy, & he would take a couple years to develop. Kelly shows that he is finally putting everything together by hitting around .330 for Louisville this season, & the Reds give him up for waivers in order to keep Machado, who has had a whole 2 or 3 at bats in the week & a half since he's been brought up. I have so many inappropriate words I wish to use right now, but I shall refrain. :censored:

[ochre]

So the Reds drafted Kelly knowing that he was very raw but toolsy, & he would take a couple years to develop. Kelly shows that he is finally putting everything together by hitting around .330 for Louisville this season, & the Reds give him up for waivers in order to keep Machado, who has had a whole 2 or 3 at bats in the week & a half since he's been brought up. I have so many inappropriate words I wish to use right now, but I shall refrain. :censored:
Kelly was picked up as a minor league free agent I believe.

[REDREAD]

:confused: If they had just activated Freel instead of sending him on a rehab assignment they just would have got rid of Kelly a few days earlier.

Let me do some research. You may be right. I thought either Machado or Olmedo was called up when Freel went to the DL. Then another roster spot opened and they had the choice of activating Freel or bringing up Kelly.

I could be wrong.. But in any event, why call up Kelly for 2 weeks if you can't send him back down?

[CTA513]

Reds activated infielder-outfielder Ryan Freel from the 15-day disabled list.
Even though he's hitting .287/.406/.403 this year, Freel apparently isn't returning as the everyday second baseman. He'll probably get that job back soon enough, but for now, he'll play all over the place. Mixed leaguers may want to wait until next week to activate him.

:bang:

[OldRightHander]

Lopez is traded, Aurilia stays at 2nd and Machado is given shortstop... then Freel rides the bench.

:evil:

I hope DanO isn't reading. He might take that suggestion seriously.

[REDREAD]

ok, here's the paper trail for Kelly. Turns out that I was wrong (I know that will shock you guys :) ) I thought Kelly was brought up on 15th, I didn't realize he was coming off the DL. Still doesn't excuse DanO for losing him though.

June 13, 2005 Placed catcher Jason LaRue on the bereavement list; recalled catcher Dane Sardinha from Louisville of the International League (AAA); optioned outfielder Austin Kearns to Louisville; purchased the contract of outfielder Kenny Kelly from Louisville.


June 25, 2005 Placed outfielder Kenny Kelly on the 15-day disabled list with a torn meniscus in his left knee; recalled third baseman Edwin Encarnacion from Louisville of the International League (AAA).

July 15, 2005 Activated outfielder Kenny Kelly and pitcher Randy Keisler from the 15-day disabled list; placed pitcher Ryan Wagner on 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 8, with inflammation in his right shoulder.

[redsfan30]

Jacob Cruz is starting in right field tonight per the blog....

[Playadlc]

Kearns is back with the club!

[Chip R]

Let me do some research. You may be right. I thought either Machado or Olmedo was called up when Freel went to the DL. Then another roster spot opened and they had the choice of activating Freel or bringing up Kelly.

I could be wrong.. But in any event, why call up Kelly for 2 weeks if you can't send him back down?They activated Kelly from a rehab assignment and outrighted Romano. Now they could have kept Kelly down there for 20 days but then they would have had to do something with him. But you're right. It doesn't make sense to call him up for a few days and then let him go and not let Machado go. I know the Reds aren't going anywhere but it is frustrating to keep a guy on the bench who can't hit and doesn't play. At least WMP could come off the bench in 2003 and possibly hit one out. But Machado can't even hit so what is the point?

[Danny Serafini]

Kelly was picked up as a minor league free agent I believe.

Yep, he had spent a bunch of time in Tampa's system.

[OSURedLeg]

Yep, he had spent a bunch of time in Tampa's system.

That's my fault then. I think I probably confused him with Kenny Lewis, who I just looked up & saw that he's struggling at the low minors. I still think he made a nice 4th or 5th outfielder, but apparently with the moves we're making there's just no room.

[REDREAD]

They activated Kelly from a rehab assignment

Thanks for catching my goof (along with LVJ).. Kelly was on the DL so long, I assumed he was at AAA.

I guess the bottom line is that the Reds viewed Kelly as pure Romano-like filler and when they called him up in June, they weren't worried about exposing him later.

[FreelFanatic]

Let me ask a dumb question...why was Kelly even exposed to waivers? Is he out of options? Freel and now Kearns were both already on the 40-man, by my count, we already have three spots open there:

Pitchers 1. Belisle, 2. Claussen, 3. Coffey, 4. Dumatrait, 5. Harang, 6. Hudson,
7. Keisler, 8. Kozlowski, 9. Mercker, 10. Milton, 11. Nelson, 12. Ortiz,
13. Ramirez, 14. Shackelford, 15. Simpson, 16. Standridge, 17. Valentine,
18. Wagner, 19. Weathers, 20. Weber

Catchers 21. LaRue, 22. Perez, 23. Sardinha, 24. Valentin

Infielders 25. Aurilia, 26. Bergolla, 27. Casey, 28. Cruz, 29. Encarnacion,
30. Freel, 31. F.Lopez, 32. Olmedo, 33. Randa

Outfielders 34. Dunn, 35. Griffey, 36. Kearns, 37. Pena

And people on the 60-Day DL (Bong, Hancock, Wilson, L.Lopez) don't count against the 40-man, right?

So unless I'm missing something (or someone), Kelly had to be out of options with having 37 on our 40-man roster.

Please someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[flyer85]

So the Reds drafted Kelly knowing that he was very raw but toolsyKelly was drafted by the Eggs.

[flyer85]

Is he out of options? Either he was or the Reds just put him on waivers to get rid of him and get some cash.

[Chip R]

So unless I'm missing something (or someone), Kelly had to be out of options with having 37 on our 40-man roster.

Please someone correct me if I'm wrong.I think you have got it. Not even DanO is stupid enough to waive a guy who has options left. I assumed Kelly had options left but I'm not surprised he didn't.

[Danny Serafini]

Kelly did not have any options left. He made his Major League debut all the way back in 2000, believe it or not. And these moves do leave us with 37 on the roster. I would expect Hancock to come off the DL in the next couple of weeks the way they're talking, so that would take up one spot. The other two...?

[FreelFanatic]

Kelly did not have any options left. He made his Major League debut all the way back in 2000, believe it or not. And these moves do leave us with 37 on the roster. I would expect Hancock to come off the DL in the next couple of weeks the way they're talking, so that would take up one spot. The other two...?

It's GOTTA be Chris Booker time.

[flyer85]

It's GOTTA be Chris Booker time.Where did that come from? (other than wishful thinking)

[REDREAD]

It's GOTTA be Chris Booker time.

Don't think so, as the 25 man is full. Booker just doesn't impress DanO.

We've got at least 2 or 3 relievers that could be optioned if we really wanted to bring Booker up.

[flyer85]

Don't think so, as the 25 man is full. Booker just doesn't impress DanO.

We've got at least 2 or 3 relievers that could be optioned if we really wanted to bring Booker up.What? The Reds couldn't survive without Standridge, Coffey, Shackleford, etc.

[REDREAD]

What? The Reds couldn't survive without Standridge, Coffey, Shackleford, etc.

Well, since DanO has seen the light on Machado, I'm starting to think he might be open to logic :)

[flyer85]

Well, since DanO has seen the light on Machado, I'm starting to think he might be open to logic :)I'm more inclined to think there has been a coup at the palace.:D

[Red Leader]

I'm more inclined to think there has been a coup at the palace.:D

No doubt. Who is this stranger that took over DanO's mind and body?

[flyer85]

No doubt. Who is this stranger that took over DanO's mind and body?Maybe a group of RedsZone members have stormed the castle?

[KronoRed]

I'm more inclined to think there has been a coup at the palace.:D
Have the gallows been built for a pre game ceremony?

;)

[REDREAD]

I'm more inclined to think there has been a coup at the palace.:D

:laugh: ok, which RedsZoner snuck into DanO's office and logged on to his system while he was in Florida?

[Red Leader]

:laugh: ok, which RedsZoner snuck into DanO's office and logged on to his system while he was in Florida?

I'm going to vote for guernsey. He hasn't been around in awhile and he's had plenty of time to strategerize a plan.

Of course, I haven't heard from Puffy today, either and he's crazy enough to actually do it without a plan. :laugh:

[KronoRed]

I heard Jim Coombs is running the team now

[TeamSelig]

Why didn't DanO bring up Kearns for Kelly and then Freel for Machado, instead of giving us a bunch of headaches?

[KearnsyEars]

so according to lance, cruz starts in right?

I wanna see kearns! :thumbdown

[Red Leader]

so according to lance, cruz starts in right?

I wanna see kearns! :thumbdown

Dude, chill out. Be happy he's back with the team.

He's on a plane to Cincinnati. Kind of hard to play when you're in the air or in transit to the game when it starts.

[WMR]

Am I the only one who liked Kelly's game???

I thought he looked like a great back-up outfielder who could actually be considered a "back-up" and not a "4th outfield logjam etc."????

This sucks.

[Red Leader]

I liked Kelly. I also think Machado can be a decent player down the road, but hated the fact he was out of options, and I don't trust DanO using him correctly.

I do like Kearns and Freel better than either of them, though.

[TeamSelig]

Kelly had good D and good speed, which is something we lack. To be honest, I'd rather have Machado over Aurilia anyday. Machado is an OK bench player IMO.

[WMR]

I remember watching Kelly play CF during the few opportunities that he had with the big club and it was a pleasure to admire his range, speed, and athleticism.

[redsfan30]

I'd rather have Machado over Aurilia anyday.
I fully understand that Rich Aurilia is the Redszone whipping boy....but this is alittle too much in my opinion.

[TeamSelig]

Rich is better right now, but he's old, horrible defense, and a free agent after the season. Machado is young, good defense, and has some upside to him. Rich will only get worse. That was my point.

[REDREAD]

Rich is better right now, but he's old, horrible defense, and a free agent after the season. Machado is young, good defense, and has some upside to him. Rich will only get worse. That was my point.

I can see your point, but is it worth holding a roster spot for Machado for a couple years in hopes that he actually does get better? It's also possible that this is as good as Machado is going to get. Not all youngsters improve.

I'd rather sign an Aurilla off the scrap heap every year than have Machado.
I think you'd get more production that way.

[TOBTTReds]

I can see your point, but is it worth holding a roster spot for Machado for a couple years in hopes that he actually does get better? It's also possible that this is as good as Machado is going to get. Not all youngsters improve.

I'd rather sign an Aurilla off the scrap heap every year than have Machado.
I think you'd get more production that way.

Sadly I agree. I hope Aurilia is gone soon though, he has hopefully helped his value lately.

[Sea Ray]

I'm fine with losing Machado but I think losing Kelly was unnecessary. Why bring Kearns up now?

[Nugget]

Your going to have to bring him up some day this year, otherwise he will be one very unhappy camper. And withe amount of dead wood on the 25 man you would have to expose a few of them to the waiver before the year is out. Even if you brought up Kearns after 31 July Kelly would still be exposed to the waiver wire.

Also OFer are a dime a dozenn. Especially as Kelly is late 20's. There's Rob Stratton in the Reds organisation, Steve Smitherman. Kelly is not a big loss for the club.

Neither is Machado either. F'Lo has shown that he is a big league SS so there is no need to keep Machado around wasting space, time and money. Maybe the REDS should have organised themselves to trade him for some Class A potential but you can't really see any club trading for him at this stage.

[Sea Ray]

I'm surprised the Cubs didn't pick up Kelly. He'd sure look better in CF than Burnitz did last night.

My issue with Kelly is a minor one and that is: could we have gotten something for him rather than letting him go for free? I'm leery that he got picked up so quickly and I have no confidence in O'Brien where stuff like this is concerned.

As of right now, Jr is the only true CF on our roster. "If" Jr is traded, where does that leave our CF depth?