The article (below) is by Erardi. Daugherty also advocates the same (for whatever that is worth).
Also... just read this on ESPN Insider
Though the Colorado Rockies are 12 games under .500, they remain in the race for the National League West title and could become buyers at the deadline if they continue to win, reports the Denver Post.
Bronson Arroyo, who recently expressed his desire to stay in Cincinnati, may not get his wish, as the Colorado Rockies are interested in acquiring the right-handed starter.
Arroyo's back-loaded contract which guarantees him $23 million over the next two seasons will not be an obstacle in negotiations since the Reds are not against picking up some of that money if the teams can agree on the players involved, the Rocky Mountain News report.
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http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs...807270448/1071
A by-the-numbers look at the Reds
To: Reds General Manager Walt Jocketty
Dear Walt,
Yes, us again. (We couldn't resist.) We hear there's a trade deadline coming up Thursday. We know you don't need our help, but that hasn't stopped us before, so here we go.
We understand there isn't a ton of interest in Adam Dunn, so maybe you'll wind up keeping him. But we're not here to talk about Dunn.
We're here to talk about Bronson Arroyo, because we know there's interest in him.
We've got nothing against trading Arroyo, provided you've got somebody to replace him relatively soon. The statistical services say he'll give you more the rest of this year and next year and maybe even the year after that (which is the last year of his contract) than the guys you've already got who might replace him (Darryl Thompson and Matt Maloney), so we'd be a little careful on that score. But we'd also understand it you trade him, especially for a go get 'em center fielder who can lead off, or a catcher.
As you already know, the New York Yankees have a left fielder who can play center and lead off. Brett Gardner has excellent speed and good on-base skills (.388 OBP in the minors), although no power (.385 slugging percentage). He'd give your manager what he wants, but man oh man, don't be wrong about him. And don't get scared off by his defense. It's rated sketchy, but it is off such limited data we don't even think it's reliable.
If you could get a couple of live arms from down low in the Yankees chain - we hear they've got 'em - it might be a good trade.
The better choice might be the Texas Rangers, who have three catchers to consider: Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Taylor Teagarden and Gerald Laird. (Max Ramirez is even better, but it would take another Josh Hamilton to pry him loose.)
Also, if the Cubs have so much as a hiccup in their rotation, they might part with outfielder Felix Pie, he of the considerable upside; it's a short trip from desperate to crazed.
Whatever you do, don't do it to appease the masses; they squawked to high heaven when Bob Howsam traded Lee May and Tommy Helms for Joe Morgan et al, so what do they know? Besides, the fans want to win yesterday, and the best guy you can get may not even be ready for another two or three years. (We noticed that when Oakland traded starting pitcher Joe Blanton the other day, the crown jewel they got from the Phillies was a Single-A hitter).
Another reason to consider trading Arroyo is that there are some potentially big names on the free-agent pitching market. Trading Arroyo could free up some cash to go after CC Sabathia or Ben Sheets, with Derek Lowe, Oliver Perez, Jon Garland and A.J. Burnett as safety nets if you can't get the "Big Two." We know the "Big Two" would take big money, but we've never underestimated the Big Man's ability to dream. Sabathia and Sheets would be obvious upgrades over Arroyo, although we realize Sheets is a huge health risk.
By the way, we don't agree with Arroyo that if you trade him you are dumping salary and waving the white flag. But we understand his point. He's one of only 15 pitchers to throw 200 or more innings in each of the last three seasons. Prior to the start of this season, he was one of only six pitchers to throw 150 or more innings in each of the last four seasons while posting an ERA equal to or better than the league average.
We know that a lot of fans are concerned that his paycheck goes up considerably next year and even more in 2010, but he'll actually be just moving into the range of the going rate for pitchers with his numbers. (We feel your pain, Walt: It's hard to believe we've reached a time when slightly above-average starters are easily worth $10 million a season in free agency.)
Three-fifths of your rotation next season (Edinson Volquez, Johnny Cueto, Homer Bailey) won't be making much more than the league minimum, so money's not so much the issue with Arroyo. Having a somewhat reliable starter in the fourth or fifth spot can be the difference between a contender and a pretender. And there are still some big question marks with Bailey (consistency), Thompson and Bobby Livingston (health), so keeping Arroyo could provide insurance and allow them to mature.
Besides, you don't have to trade Arroyo. Any fan worth his or her salt - and there are plenty in Reds country - knows that trades work only if you can fill a hole without creating another one. If you have or can acquire somebody to replace Arroyo relatively soon, and can fill a hole (center fielder, corner outfielder, catcher, even a great-fielding shortstop who can hit a little), pull the trigger.
Oh, and Walt?
Good luck.
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Originally Posted by LvJ
