Rolen Talks Revived

[Benihana]

So typical of the Reds...

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9...ble-Rolen-deal

Sources: Jays, Reds talking possible Rolen deal
The Reds and Blue Jays have had discussions within the past several days about a trade that would send Toronto third baseman Scott Rolen to Cincinnati, major league sources told FOXSports.com on Saturday.

The sides are still trying to determine which players would head to Toronto in the deal, but the source said that third baseman Edwin Encarnacion would be included.

A deal was not imminent as of Saturday afternoon, as Rolen played third base for the Blue Jays during their extra-inning game against Tampa Bay. The possible Rolen trade could also be affected by Toronto's ongoing trade talks relating to Roy Halladay.

Rolen won a World Series while playing for current Reds general manager Walt Jocketty in St. Louis. Cincinnati officials have been looking for a right-handed hitter such as Rolen for much of the season.

Rolen is having his best year since 2006, batting .319 with seven home runs and 37 RBIs.

The Reds, who have lost five straight games, are widely expected to sell at the deadline. But acquiring Rolen would give the team a head start on planning for 2010, since Rolen is already under contract for next year at $11 million.

Unless owner Bob Castellini plans to expand the team's payroll, acquiring Rolen may necessitate that Jocketty move other salaries off the books. One source with knowledge of the team's plans said the Reds have already made right-handers Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo available on the trade market.

Harang will earn $12.5 million next year, Arroyo $11 million.

I'm not interested unless Halladay is involved.

[redsfandan]

Blue Jays, Reds Discussing Rolen By Drew Silva [July 25 at 3:59pm CST]

According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com, a source has indicated that the Blue Jays and Reds are discussing a trade involving third baseman Scott Rolen. As Morosi writes,

"The sides are still trying to determine which players would head to Toronto in the deal, but the source said that third baseman Edwin Encarnacion would be included."

Rolen is enjoying a nice resurgence this season after spending the last several years battling injuries. As of Saturday afternoon, he's batting .317/.372/.469 with seven home runs and 37 RBI in 322 at-bats. He is owed $11MM next season and about $3.5MM for the rest of '09. The Reds are quickly falling out of contention, but adding Rolen's veteran presence and Gold Glove defense would surely help them chase the NL Wild Card.

[Will M]

if its EE & another player/prospect then sign me up. why? because both EE's & Rolen's contracts are up after 2010 but Rolen is a better hitter & a way better fielder. it would be step #1 of improving the team for 2010. it would help this years team also but the #1 goal of any move Walt makes should be to improve the team from 2010 on.

[Benihana]

Originally Posted by Will M

if its EE & another player/prospect then sign me up. why? because both EE's & Rolen's contracts are up after 2010 but Rolen is a better hitter & a way better fielder. it would be step #1 of improving the team for 2010. it would help this years team also but the #1 goal of any move Walt makes should be to improve the team from 2010 on.

The difference in their salaries will most likely prevent other additions for next season, be it a Lackey, Holliday, or otherwise.

This is the exact type of Reds move that is half-assing it for the rest of the year. "Look what we did to try and contend!" after they are already out of it. Like I said, if Halladay is in the deal, or there are other high-priced acquisitions, then it's something else. If this is it, I'm not interested.

[SirFelixCat]

Originally Posted by Benihana

The difference in their salaries will most likely prevent other additions for next season, be it a Lackey, Holliday, or otherwise.

This is the exact type of Reds move that is half-assing it for the rest of the year. "Look what we did to try and contend!" after they are already out of it. Like I said, if Halladay is in the deal, or there are other high-priced acquisitions, then it's something else. If this is it, I'm not interested.

Agreed. And 3b is not the issue w/ this team right now. Plain and simple.

[Falls City Beer]

Originally Posted by SirFelixCat

Agreed. And 3b is not the issue w/ this team right now. Plain and simple.

Yes it is.

[reds44]

Originally Posted by SirFelixCat

Agreed. And 3b is not the issue w/ this team right now. Plain and simple.

Is it the top issue? No, but even I am starting to think it needs to be improved.

[nate]

Originally Posted by SirFelixCat

Agreed. And 3b is not the issue w/ this team right now. Plain and simple.

I'd argue that 3b and CF are the biggest problems with the offense to date.

Split           G GS   PA   AB   R   H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS  BB  SO   BA  OBP  SLG   OPS  TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB ROE BAbip tOPS+ sOPS+
as DH           9      38   32   5  11  3  0  3   7  1  0   5   8 .344 .447 .719 1.166  23   1   1  0  0   0   0  .381   225   192
as P           86     203  171  11  25  4  1  3  13  0  0   6  59 .146 .174 .234  .408  40   5   0 25  1   0   2  .200    15   134
as C           95     387  331  31  98 16  2  3  30  4  5  45  38 .296 .379 .384  .762 127   6   2  4  5   6   2  .322   118   115
as PH          80     143  124  15  27 10  2  2  11  3  0  19  44 .218 .322 .379  .701  47   3   0  0  0   3   0  .321    98   114
as 2B          95     410  363  54 100 16  3 16  69 15  8  33  41 .275 .334 .468  .802 170  13   3  3  8   3   4  .268   125   112
as 1B          95     413  360  54 109 18  1 16  63  5  1  46  70 .303 .389 .492  .881 177   8   5  2  0   5   4  .339   148   110
as Infield     95    2006 1759 210 467 90  8 47 227 27 15 185 279 .265 .340 .406  .746 714  38  23 19 20  19  21  .289   111    98
at Def. Pos.   95    1628 1451 184 386 75  8 25 149 40 17 122 199 .266 .324 .380  .705 552  29  12 24 19  13  16  .290    99    93
at Off. Pos.   95    1626 1430 172 346 66  6 55 183 12  9 157 320 .242 .324 .412  .736 589  23  21  9  9   9  17  .273   108    87
as RF          95     408  362  42  79 16  2 19  51  5  3  42  79 .218 .302 .431  .733 156   6   2  1  1   2   3  .226   106    86
as SS          95     396  360  42  86 27  1  4  31  7  3  22  55 .239 .290 .353  .643 127   6   5  6  3   4   4  .270    82    82
as LF          95     405  363  47  84 19  2 12  35  1  2  30  96 .231 .298 .394  .692 143   4   6  2  4   1   3  .278    95    79
as Outfield    95    1248 1122 146 265 51  6 33 105 25 11  94 240 .236 .299 .381  .680 427  14  10 14  8   3  12  .271    92    77
as 3B          95     400  345  29  74 13  1  8  34  1  3  39  75 .214 .306 .328  .633 113   5   8  4  4   1   7  .248    80    70
as CF          95     435  397  57 102 16  2  2  19 19  6  22  65 .257 .297 .322  .620 128   4   2 11  3   0   6  .300    76    66

Hey, at least our pitchers are good hitters!

[OldXOhio]

Originally Posted by SirFelixCat

Agreed. And 3b is not the issue w/ this team right now. Plain and simple.

The entire organization is an issue badly in need of an overhaul. If it means parting with EE for Rolen for 2010, then that would appear to be the case. Have to think Walt's trying to throw Arroyo or Harang into the deal to cover the discrepancy in cost. Sign me up.

[alexad]

We are chasing our own tail, not to mention four other teams in the NL Central. So yea trade for Rolen and then chase the NL Wild Card.

Maybe three weeks ago, this would of been an awesome story.

[StillFunkyB]

I would love to have Scott Rolen....


Seven years ago.

[Reds1]

Originally Posted by StillFunkyB

I would love to have Scott Rolen....


Seven years ago.

If EE and one other prospect I'm all for it. I'm not an EE fan these days. Still can't play defense and as we've seen the past few days defense has killed us. We need offense two and Rolen gives you both. I like the move for 2010, but for sure not a long term solution. I could go either way here, but wouldn't mind seeing it. He does get paid a lot. Depends on payroll and a few things I'm not privied too!

[reds44]

I think this is a move for 2010...

[redsfandan]

I wouldn't assume that this deal (IF it happens) would mean they wouldn't do anything else. Too soon to tell. But like others, I think this would be more for 2010. While the playoffs isn't technically impossible this year yet the odds are pretty stacked against it.

[Falls City Beer]

I think this move would mean that other moves are certainly pending. The payroll isn't going to go up.