MIAMI -- It's going to be an interesting week for the Reds, and wins and losses in the upcoming series vs. the Brewers and Cubs have little to do with why.
After Sunday, there will be eight days until the July 31 non-waivers trade deadline. It's the kind of time that is capable of driving a player to distraction, if he lets it.
"It can be [distracting] for everybody because everybody is anxious to see what's going to happen," interim manager Pete Mackanin said. "Myself, I'm anxious to see what we're going to do, if anything. The players who read their names constantly, they wonder what's going to happen.
"You know what? You have to block it all out and just play the game. When you're playing for a lot of money, you have to give yourself every chance to compete and block all that other stuff out. There's no getting around it."
This summer, left fielder Adam Dunn's name has floated in the trade winds the most and the longest among the Reds. Publicly at least, Dunn has maintained the same position he had in June when he was first asked about being part of trade rumors.
"Saying I don't care probably aren't the right words to use, but I don't," Dunn said Sunday. "If it's going to happen, it's going to happen. I'm not going to lose sleep over it. There's nothing I can do about it."
Dunn has a $13.5 million club option for 2008 that voids if he's dealt and would make him a free agent. It's viewed as a road block for potential deals. However, he didn't want to lay down odds on whether he'd still be a Red after July 31.
"I couldn't even tell you," he said. "I don't know anything, nobody tells me anything. I hear all the ones that are made up."
Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky's policy is to not discuss trade strategy, potential trades or trade rumors.
"He asked me a few questions and I know he's in the process of working on many things," Mackanin said. "Whether they come to fruition or not, I really don't have much to do with that. I have some input, but it's minimal."
If the Reds sell off players like Dunn, Ken Griffey Jr., Kyle Lohse, David Weathers, Scott Hatteberg or others, it could make Mackanin's job of winning more difficult -- especially for someone who is in the mix for the permanent manager's job.
"I swear to God, seriously, I've convinced myself not to worry about that kind of stuff. I just want to win today," Mackanin said. "I'm not actually trying to get myself a job. It's not what my thought process. I just assume things are going to happen that are best in life for me -- one way or the other. I can't dwell on that kind of stuff. I choose not to dwell on it."
Originally Posted by ChatterRed
