I thought it would've been in the Reds best interest to keep EE AND to acquire Rolen. Just get Rolen for different parts. That's all. (yes, I know...easier said than done)
Just offset EE's flaw by moving him off of such an important defensive position and offset his biggest liability (his throwing accuracy) by trying him out in left. When people say that EE was a black hole defensively are simplifying the problem. He had excellent range, pretty sure hands, a cannon for an arm...he just couldn't throw it accurately and his throwing mechanics were horrific (thus leading to all his errant throws). I just always thought that his skill-set peg fit into a LF hole much easier. Of course we'll probably never know.