I'm going into Krusty mode here for a minute. Tell me what you think of this deal.
Reds acquire:
1B Ryan Shealy
RHP Jason Jennings
Rockies acquire:
C Jason LaRue/Javier Valentin(their choice of a catcher)
OF Chris Denorfia
2B William Bergolla
While I would hate to give up Jason LaRue and especially Chris Denorfia, you know the old cliche about giving up something good...Anyway, I have already professed my man-love for Ryan Shealy in other threads so I won't even explain the reasoning of acquiring him. I would suggest looking into Jeff Francis first to see if the Rockies have soured on him, but I imagine they will hang on to him.
Jennings is a guy that I think could succeed outside of Coors Field. He induces a lot of grounds balls with his sinker: 2002-1.64 G/F ratio, 2003-1.51, 2004-1.54, 2005-1.83, 2006-1.18. Again, I think he could turn into a decent pitcher if ever gets out of Coors Field.
Check out his home/road splits:
2002
Home-5.65 ERA
Road-3.35 ERA
2003
Home-4.64 ERA
Road-5.38 ERA
2004
Home-6.15 ERA
Road-4.86 ERA
2005
Home-5.16 ERA
Road-4.87 ERA
2006
Home-5.68 ERA
Road-4.50 ERA(One start)
While his road ERA is still not that great, pitching in Coors Field has a way of messing with your head so I wouldn't worry too much about that. Still only 27 years old, Jennings has already had three seasons of 180+ innings pitched, including a 201 inning season in 2004. Jennings instantly gives the Reds another potentially solid innings eater to stick behind Claussen.
The Rockies need a catcher, the Reds need more pitching, what's not to like about the deal?
LaRue will make 3.9 million is 2006; Jennings 4.5 million. Not too big of a difference and definitely not a deal breaker.