The decisions made during the next month should be guided, in part, by whether the Reds think that they can contend next year or not. That's the threshold determination that must be made.
One way or another, it seems unlikely that Adam Dunn will be a Red in 2009. If management truly thinks the team is more than one year (2008) away (as I do,) he should be traded now. The same goes for Hatteberg, Conine, and Weathers.
Who's rights do the Reds have guaranteed through 2009? Who will remain part of the nucleus of the team? Harang, Arroyo, Bailey; Phillips, Gonzalez, Encarnacion, Hamilton, Griffey(?), Votto (perhaps.)