Keep Arroyo. Trade Harang.

Bronson Arroyo.jpgNo one really knows whether the Reds are buyers or sellers yet, but we are under the 72 hour mark until the trade deadline. The Reds main trade bait would be Harang, Arroyo, and Weathers or Rhodes in the bullpen.
The Reds need to keep the bullpen intact as that has been the major strength of the Reds club. Rhodes is sitting on a comfortable 2.08 era and Weathers on a 3.15 era (by the way, Paul Janish has a 49.50 era in his two relief appearances this year).
Arroyo is still a nice pitcher for anyones rotation and because of the nature of how he throws, he will be able to pitch effectively for many years to come. His fastball is complemented by a variety of off speed breaking balls. Harang on the other hand is a shadow of the 16 win pitcher he was 3 and 4 years ago. Aaron Harang.jpgHis fastball velocity is down from 93-94 mph to 89-90 miles per hour. His leg drive is also noticably weaker than it was when he was younger in his career. Since he is no longer able to throw the ball by people, he has to be able to locate his pitches better which he has often struggled with.
However Aaron Harang would still be good for a contending club and could serve as a solid third or forth starter. The Reds could trade Harang and still make an improvement to the club this year.
A good fit for Harang would be the New York Yankees who need starting pitching badly (esp. with Chien-Ming Wang out for the year).
As opposed to trading Harang for a variety of single A prospects, I think it would be smarter for Walt Jocketty to try and get one or two players in AAA who are almost ready for the major leagues. Ian Kennedy who is pitching for the Yankees AAA team and has made a few major league starts would be that tyle of player, a guy who could play this year if need be.
scott-rolen.jpgThe Reds have explored adding Toronto Blue Jay Scott Rolen. Rolen has had a resurgence this year after battling injuries since leaving the St. Louis Cardinals. He has batted around .300 for most this year and has shown increased pop in his bat.
A Rolen package would also probably include Edwin Encarnacion but beyond that it is not known what else would be involved.
Also another package has been rumored to have been talked about with the Yankees.
Neither the Reds nor the Yankees have said if there is any truth to the rumor but the Yankees have discussed aquiring David Weathers and Aaron Harang for youngster Phillip Hughes. It seems odd that the Yankees would consider giving up their great young prospect Hughes which is why I'm unsure if this rumor has any truth to it.
The Reds are on their longest homestand of the year. The Reds really need to hang an 8-2 or better record if they are going to continue to climb back in the NL Central race that is staying tight. Go Reds!!!

3 Comments

Well here 5 major problems involving the Reds and trades 1) Arroyo and Harang both are going to make more than Halladay is currently scheduled to make next year. 2) Arroyo is like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: you just never know which one is going to show up at the ballpark. 3) Rhodes and Weathers are both over 40.... if we can get something for them we should because they are both facing old man winter. 4) Scott Rolen's best years are behind him even if he hadn't had such bad injuries. He is 34 and although I do believe that if he was 50 he would provide better defense than Encarnacion I don't think his bat is going to be as lively as Encarnacion in the near future. Don't get me wrong I think Encarnacion has got to go but I think that we should go young instead of the older and wiser approach.... now if we were in a pennant run then yes grab Rolen. 5) We just gave up Manual for a no name outfielder who makes Alex Gonzalez look like Babe Ruth. Manual was one of our top minor league relief pitchers as early as last year. Why he lost confidence with the team is beyond me but the commissioner's office should look into such an obvious lopsided trade.
The Reds management may not of given up on the current team being competitive but the players are playing like they are just mailing in their paychecks.

I wouldn't mind getting Phil Hughes, but like you said, it's just a rumor, I really want Arroyo gone and Harang, Scott Rolen still is a good player and it would be great to get a person who can accurately throw to 1st, If we could get rid of Harang and Edwin in one shot, that would be great, maybe even add a prospect in that deal and get Vernon Wells (That would be great, but doubtful)

I think encarnacion will go on to have a decent major league career. He needs to devote himself to discipline at the plate and in the field to ever be anything more than marginally good. Problem is once you give someone millions of dollars their desire to improve themselves goes right out the door.

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