Walt Jocketty Attempting To Strengthen The Reds Pen For a Playoff Run

The Cincinnati Reds are currently tied with the St. Louis Cardinals for first in the National League Central division and it appears they will stay with team that got them here.

The Reds biggest needed is in the bullpen and their General Manager Walt Jocketty has addressed that need. Well, sort of. He signed Russ Springer and Jason Isringhausen, sending them to Triple-A Louisville.

Isringhausen has made two appearances giving up two runs and two hits in 1 2/3 innings of work. One of the two hits was a homer!

Springer has pitched much better. He has appeared in six games allowing one hit, one walk and struck out five in 5 2/3 scoreless innings.

In addition to adding Isringhausen and Springer, left-hander Aroldis Chapman has been moved to the pen in Triple-A Louisville. He has pitched 11 games in relief for Louisville and is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA, recording 23 strikeouts and eight walks in his 14 innings of work.

Reds Manager Dusty Baker wants him to be more consistent before bringing him up. "I've been monitoring him some, he's been dong pretty good. Still, he's a little bit erratic. Naturally, we want him to be more consistent and do better. That's why he is there." Baker said.

It appears this may be the Reds only action before the tradeline. "It's quiet. I don't expect anything to happen, not with us. A lot of times it doesn't start to escalate until the last few days. Maybe when we get back home, it might change." Jocketty said.

Jocketty has been involved in some conversation with other GMs and had this comment.

"The sense I get from other clubs is two factors: People don't want to give up their young prospects, and clubs don't want to take on additional payroll. That makes it hard to make a deal. Again, that may change closer to the deadline."