Trade value slowly sinking as well

After Aaron Harang gave up 5 runs (with 2 home runs) in the first inning last night, his trade value probably fell to about a few bats, a doughnut, a coffee maker, and some cash, like about $5.00. Harang is now 5-12 and has not won since May. The Reds are fooling themselves if they think they are going to get top prospects for a pitcher that was 6-17 last year, 5-12 this year and shows no signs of getting any better.

About the only trade bait the Reds have left is the rubber armed Bronson Arroyo, but Arroyo is 10-10 and can at times look awful. He is certainly not a dominant pitcher, and really needs a pitcher friendly ball park to shine.

Bob Castellini has not made up his mind that the Reds are going to be sellers. Maybe Walt Jocketty has clued him into the fact, Mr. Castellini we have very, very little to sell.

Dusty Baker is loath to give up Francisco Cordero, and I agree with him, but David Weathers has shown signs of age and maybe beginning the end of his distinguished career. I personally take bids on Arthur Rhodes but I can understand the argument against trading him. There isn’t really anyone else in the bullpen worth mentioning in this context.

Of the starters, only Johnny Cueto holds any allure. Edinson Volquez is coming back from arm trouble; Micah Owings is a pitcher without an out pitch and is 6-11 with arm trouble. Homer Bailey looks like his is coming into his own, but that is not what clubs looking to make a playoff run are looking for right now. They need proven talent now!

Of the position players, only the basically untouchable Votto and Phillips have much real value. Johnny Gomes is really making his bid to become a bonfire major league slugger, and that is why the Reds should keep him.

A quick perusal of the rest of the Reds batting averages quickly dismisses any of the other players as having any trade value.

Once again the question must be asked: How are Brook Jacoby and Dick Pole keeping their jobs? Their charges are playing abysmal baseball. The answer is they shouldn’t keep their jobs, they should be canned now!

This leads us to Dusty Baker. I am not ready to part with Dusty yet. Dusty has been ham-strung by injuries all year long. Dusty’s performance must improve, however; and it needs to improve next year.

Big D