Being a Seller Means You Get Rid of Payroll: The Cincinnati Reds Didn't

The trading deadline has arrived and GMs across the country have used up the anytime minutes in hope of finding the missing piece of the puzzle. This year there seems to be an abundance of “buyers,” a.k.a teams that think they still they have a shot.
 
Jake Peavy went to the White Sox for a bunch of prospects. Victor Martinez (whom has a bobblehead night this Saturday in Cleveland) has been shipped to the Boston Red Sox. The Phillies swiped Cliff Lee. The Twins nabbed Orlando Cabrerra, the Yankees scooped up Jerry Hairston and the Tigers got Jarrod Washburn.
 
Notice anything about the teams making moves? All of them except the Twins are in the top 12 in payroll.
 
But there is a group of teams that are labeled “sellers” that have essentially waved the white flag on the 2009 campaign. The Cincinnati Reds were considered “buyers” all the way up until they went 1-10 in their last 11, including dropping three of four at home to the San Diego Padres.
 
The rumors have been that scouts from as many as 12 teams had gone to Reds games in the past two weeks.  All signs pointed to a salary dump trade.
 
But somehow they ended up with Scott Rolen. Reds GM Walt Jocketty continual cited Rolen’s “veteran leadership” in justification for picking up the $11 million contract due to the 34 year-old in 2010.
 
Edwin Encarnacion had to find his passport, as he was the one sent packing. He is due to make $4.75 million next year. With the stick, he’s fine, with the leather repulsive. Like Flavor Flav ugly.
 
The Blue Jays also received Josh Roenicke. He looks like a decent middle reliever who will be glad to get off the Louisville-Cincinnati shuttle. His fastball has some giddy up and he throws a solid cutter as well.
 
Zachary Stewart is the “get” of the trade. He has a 92-95 MPH fastball with good sink and a hard cutting 82-85 MPH slider. He’s quickly climbed the ladder, pitching at High-A, Double-A and now Triple-A this season.
 
Rolen doesn’t make the Reds a contender next year, and he certainly doesn’t make them one this year. He’s a good player, but I just can’t understand this from Cincinnati’s perspective. All the other “sellers” shed payroll.
 
Aramis Ramirez, Jason Bay, Nate McLouth and now Freddy Sanchez. It's clear the Pirates are concentrating on destroying all hope for their fans. You can even throw in Jack Wilson, Tom Gorzelanny, John Grabow and Ian Snell for good measure. But the Pirates' payroll is now paper thin and will have plenty of financial flexibility in the off-season.
 
GM Neal Huntington is doing the necessary restocking of the system, especially with pitching, and could hit it big with one of the young arms he has acquired. The one arriving with the most buzz is 20-year-old Tim Alderson, a former No. 1 who comes from the Giants in the Freddy Sanchez deal.
 
A year after trading one Cy Young winner, the Indians did it again. What's the strategy here besides alienating fans and ensuring ticket sales will stink in the future? The company line was that hanging on to Cliff Lee along with a few tweaks would put them right back into contention.
 
Instead, Lee was dealt to Philly, which didn't have to part ways with J.A. Happ or Kyle Drabek to get the stud starter it needed. The Indians got Carlos Carrasco, who looks like he'll never reach the build up he has received.
 
The Padres gave up an injured Peavy in exchange for four guys that don’t come close to costing as much mula. The Padres will have a lot of financial flexibility in 2010.
 
The common theme of a “seller” is shedding salary.  It is the easiest way to begin the rebuilding process. But for some reason the one team that was clearly in “seller” mode, did just the opposite and added payroll. Decisions like this remind the Reds faithful why they haven’t sniffed the playoffs since 1995.