Cincinnati Reds GM Walt Jocketty Is Not Done Looking for Starting Pitching

The Cincinnati Reds have already made the biggest trade of the offseason so far, but according to Buster Olney, the Reds are not done yet. It will probably not be as large scale as the last move simply because they probably could not put together another package like they sent to San Diego. Even if they could, it wouldn't be smart to drain the farm anymore.

However, it is very interesting to see the Cincinnati Reds trying to improve their pitching staff this much. It is not that I think that improving a pitching staff is a bad thing. The interesting part is that in recent history, the Cincinnati Reds have been so focused on hitting the ball hard that their pitching staff has often been left behind.

Of course, this very well might be due to the influence of general manager Walt Jocketty. New management often times brings new ideologies. The longer the management stays in place, the more his philosophy will be cemented with the Cincinnati Reds.

Nevertheless, I do kind of have to wonder a little bit about this strategy for the Cincinnati Reds. They play in the Great American Ball Park. No matter how well they pitch, it is much more probable that in a game more runs will be scored than average. Therefore, is it necessarily a smart move to trade for pitching when ultimately a lot of runs could be scored at every home game?

I think that it is absolutely smart and necessary. Only half of their games are played at home, and obviously pitching is necessary. You don't want to have to win every game 10-9 or something like that. It makes a lot of sense to build a more well-rounded game, and it will be interesting to see who they go after next. It will probably be some type of free-agent signing for the middle of the rotation, but that of course is just speculation.