And now the Bullpen-Pitching Part 2

Why would you turn strength into a weakness by trading away most of the bullpen? There are two simple words desirability and contract status; I guess that’s three words.

No one is going to want to take on another team’s injured, ill, or underperforming players. You have to offer value to be able to get value in return. The Reds bullpen has been almost as good as promised, and a lot was promised so kudos’ to the front office that brought them here, the pitching coaches, especially Dick Pole, and most of all the player’s themselves. That being said, “Via con Dios.”

This bullpen has value and they are successful which means that they have good trade value. The main 3, Cordero, Weathers, and Rhodes are in the middle of their deals or have short term deals. Since none of those three is a young player, it is time to get some trade value for them.

Francisco “Coco” Cordero has been a great role model for the young Latin players. He has also been a closer well worthy of his All-Star selection; He’s been stellar! Cordero is in the middle of a 4 year 42 million dollars deal and is pitching in his 10 year. At the end of his contract, he will be beginning his 15th year of baseball. The Reds will just be starting to be able to contend if all goes well, but this team has needs that need to be addressed now. Trades for more starting pitching prospects seem to be needed as well as a right handed power bat in the outfield. At this point Cordero’s value is extremely high to a large market contender that needs a closer or premier set-up man. Imagine Cordero setting up someone like the Dodgers Broxton or the Yankees Rivera!


David Weathers has been a great Red. His is definitely showing some signs of age. His deal is up soon. There is some definite interest and the Reds should take advantage.

Arthur Rhodes has been a welcome addition as the left handed specialist who has done much more, sometimes stepping into the setup role and pitching to right handers and succeeding in the endeavor. He has also been a good clubhouse influence which is another reason why its hard to say good bye, but at his age and short term contract status, he is worth the most right now.

All three of these Reds should be traded by the deadline, so too should any deal for Danny Herrera be entertained. The effective specialist has been a good story but his size and mid 80’s fastball do not bode well for a long career.

Make no mistake, who ever the Reds bring in will not seamlessly step into these guys spikes. There will be growing pains.

So who to keep? Well Burton just got back from triple A so he probably has very little value. Josh Roenicke was just sent down to triple A, and Carlos Fisher really just got to the big league club. Nick Masset has carved out a pretty good season for himself, but might be needed as a starter (and he wants to start). Bill Bray is still toiling with Triple A Louisville, and Travis Wood might be worth a look.

Frankly, this team is not ready for a stellar bullpen. At the start of the season I thought it was, but after playing half the season this team has shown itself to be a pretender. I went through the list of untouchable players on this current Reds team and I could only count 4, but that's the next article.

Big Dale