Cincinnati's white whale

[membengal]

Good point/challenge, jojo. After reviewing the state of desireable RH-bats that are not too old or too expensive/not available (like, say, A-Rod), I knock a wish list down to who I have not seen mentioned in previous threads:

Josh Willingham
Carlos Quentin

I have no idea if either Florida or the White Sox would entertain discussions for them, but, yaneverknow. Can't hurt to ask. They are both young(ish), good power, and RH.

Aside for those two, I have liked the previous calls on this board for inquiries into Reggie Willits (should be available, or, at least, more available than the others I have mentioned here) and Matt Kemp. Again, no idea if Kemp is gettable, but yaneverknow.

ETA: I just don't think Washington would part with Zimmerman under most scenarios at this point. The ones I have listed here, I don't think are in the Zimmerman untouchable category...

[jojo]

Wlad Balentien is also another uber power-laden righty. He's also a target that is obtainable but he's pretty raw (I don't think he's ready). That might be alright though because it's not like the Reds have an easy way to work another outfielder into the rotation in '08.

[Tom Servo]

Here's my idea: Milton Bradley. Maybe Dusty with reputation for handling players can keep him under control and harness his talents.

[VR]

Matt Kemp would be my first choice though I'm not sure where he plays this season especially since Bruce should be the first candidate to push his way into center. Kemp would obviously be miscast in center though he'd likely be a plus defender in right but for the sake of biding time it would at least be an idea.

Kemp would probably require Bailey for discussions to even get rolling.

I'll throw out my proposal again. Dunn and Bailey for Kemp.
The Dodgers have been interested before, his HRs go out anywhere.
Bruce and Kemp as your new cornerstones in the OF. Ones that can run and field as well. Reds have more than enough pitching depth in the minors to dangle Homer, they also free up some $ next year w/ Griff and Dunn money to attract a high quality veteran OF, and a decent starter or two.


Do it.

[Highlifeman21]

Here's my idea: Milton Bradley. Maybe Dusty with reputation for handling players can keep him under control and harness his talents.

OF

Switch hitter.

I like it.

[mth123]

I doubt that anything other than a role player type would be available at this point.

Matt Diaz is a name that might be interesting.

Atlanta has been going with Gregor Blanco in LF lately and may have interest in trading down from Diaz to a guy like Hopper as a RH caddy to pick up an arm in the deal. Atlanta has had some injury trouble in both the rotation and the pen and I could see them with interest in say a Belisle and/or a Coffey. Hopper with Belisle or Coffey for Diaz. Diaz makes $1.225 Million this year about the same as Belisle and just a little more than Coffey. I'd rather keep Belisle than deal him for a role player. Guys who start are valuable. I'd deal them Matt Maloney though.

Other names that might be available now or soon:

Marcus Thames
Brandon Inge
Juan Rivera
Xavier Nady
Delwyn Young
Jason Michaels
Kevin Millar
Melvin Mora

The Reds could probably get many of these guys for excess fringe pitching (Coffey, Belisle, Maloney, Marcus McBeth, etc.) and taking on money.

[Benihana]

I'll throw out my proposal again. Dunn and Bailey for Kemp.
The Dodgers have been interested before, his HRs go out anywhere.
Bruce and Kemp as your new cornerstones in the OF. Ones that can run and field as well. Reds have more than enough pitching depth in the minors to dangle Homer, they also free up some $ next year w/ Griff and Dunn money to attract a high quality veteran OF, and a decent starter or two.


Do it.

I like Kemp but that's too much. I would offer Bailey and some change, not much more. I'd rather hang onto Dunn, or at least trade him for a different need. I don't think the Dodgers would have much interest in Dunn with Andruw Jones already on the roster.

[Spring~Fields]

Pujols works for me.
Do you suppose St. Louis would take Griffey, Dunn and EE straight up for him?

I posted the above to make a point that Cincinnati has more “white whales” than a lack of a right handed bat. I thought that someone would say, “St. Louis would not do that, they would not take Griffey, Dunn, and Encarcion straight up for Pujols". It at least should make us think about what the Reds really have vs. hope they have.

That should tell us what Kc61 and others are saying, “the Reds need to improve the core of the offense”, is true, when the Reds best would not be acceptable to the Cards for one player.

St. Louis and staff know something about winning, something that the Reds don’t. They need more than a middling right handed bat, they need some premiere players. The Reds have sold us that they have some and think that they have some but, in the current day they don’t.