Cincinnati Reds Win, Trade Rumors Begin

With the health problems currently ailing the Reds, Aaron Harang was just what the doctor ordered.

The big right hander looked brilliant last night going seven full, only allowing one run off of four hits. 

Brandon Phillips didn’t hurt either, going 2-for-3 with three RBI.

Taveras and Hairston were a combined 4-for-7, further proving that if they get on base, the team succeeds.

Ryan Hanigan homered for the first time this season and had a 2-for-4 evening. He’s now batting .327.

I think the Reds may be on to something in starting Hernandez at first and Hanigan behind the plate. 

Not counting the wacky 15-3 loss to Milwaukee (Hernandez was only called on to play first when it was apparent that Paul Janish would close the game on the mound), when Ramon Hernandez is at first and Ryan Hanigan is catching, the Reds are 5-1.

I know that’s a small sample size, but Dusty’s into hunches, so he might want to hunch on that.

I feel too much positivity flowing right now, so I’ll try to put a good cap on this game. In spite of Darnell McDonald going 0-for-3 again, the Reds managed to pull off a 5-1 win. That was something negative and positive at the same time. It all equals out.

Businessman’s Special

Micah Owings will face Joe Blanton in this afternoon’s rubber match.

Owings pitched 5.2 innings of relief and took the loss in the 16-inning marathon last Saturday in San Diego. One day, we’ll all be able to stop referring to that stupid game. Fortunately for Micah, that game didn’t throw him off track as he’s still on his five day schedule.

The former UK Wildcat, Joe Blanton, has been all but impressive so far for the Phillies. He comes into the game at 1-3 with an ERA over six and a WHIP of 1.68. If Blanton has any advantage, it has to be that his stellar supporting cast is facing the Reds; No. 5 starter.

In Other News

According to the Dusty Baker via the Enquirer, Joey Votto’s test results all came back negative. That’s negative in a good way, right? Hopefully we’ll have more information as we get closer to today’s game time (12:35). 

On the other hand, Edinson Volquez will have an MRI today and thinks he will miss his next start. Apparently his back spasms aren’t going away.

Trade Rumors? 

Apparently Chris Welsh mentioned that Walt Jocketty believes the Reds are one big bat in left field away from contending. Welsh believes that Jocketty was perhaps intimating a trade in the future. No names have been mentioned, that I’m aware of.

Of course it’s too early to be talking trade rumors, right? 

Perhaps it is for the Reds, but for other teams the rumor mill is just starting to crank up. Mark DeRosa’s name is already thrown out in trade possibilities. I’m not suggesting the Reds should make a move for Mark DeRosa, I’m just saying the rumors are about to start swirling. 

On the ESPN Baseball Today Podcast, Peter Pascarelli believes teams will start shopping players as soon as Memorial Day weekend. That starts tomorrow. 

Maybe it starts today. The Padres are in the middle of possibly trading Jake Peavy to the White Sox. The good news there: the Cubs aren’t getting him. The bad news: the Reds will no doubt face him during Civil Rights weekend when they host the White Sox.

By the way, the ESPN Baseball Today Podcast is the best Podcast not named “Redleg Nation Radio Podcast.” If you’re a huge fan of Major League Baseball, you should do yourself a service and subscribe to it. If you’re a huge fan of Major League Baseball and the Cincinnati Reds, you’d do well to subscribe to both.

Back to the rumors and the Reds. I personally would like to see what the Reds have in a Johnny Gomes/Laynce Nix platoon in left field before they decide to sell the farm for anybody. I think that’s what Walt Jocketty will do unless the perfect offer comes down the pike right off the bat. 

As patient as Walt seems to be in other areas of managing the organization, I would be surprised if they make a move before the All-Star break.

The trading season is about to begin (and may have already begun) and that’s always interesting.

What left fielders are on your “trade radar” if you’re Walt Jocketty?