Odds And Ends: Reds, LaRoche, Francoeur

I'd guess it's Arroyo....though with that contract, he'd be hard to move unless for someone else with a big contract like a Gary Matthews or Aaron Rowand (not saying either is a fair deal, but just examples).

Aaraon Harang would be an interesting move. They'd pretty much be giving up on 2009....but could really set themselves up for a great run in 2010. Cueto and Volquez when healthy are still a solid 1-2 punch. If they get a decent pitcher in return for Harang their rotation should be good enough to win still.

Adding a big bat to that lineup with a healthy Votto and Encarnacion could really make some noise in the NL Central.

I'd love my Indians to try and make a run at Harang....

Reason No. 482 why Ozzie Guillen is an idiot:

"Ozzie Guillen would endorse an extension for Scott Podsednik, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune."

Ozzie's not an idiot. He is using this opportunity to praise a player who is performming off the chart. It's not like Williams is going to lock up an injury prone 34 yr old with questionable legs when there is no pressing need to do so. Why wouldn't Ozzie say that he want Pods (the way he performing today) for next year?

Scribble - I agree that the Swisher trades (esp the one to get him) were ill conceived, but I think it's a bit premature to announce the Vazquez trade a debacle. Flowers still looks very interesting. There is now a long history of Vazquez folding under pressure. I'm not sorry he's gone and the return may still work out very well. BTW - White Sox pitching now 2nd in AL in ERA.

ha, Harang with the Dodgers would be sweet....but what are they giving up? Kemp and McDonald?

The Reds won't just part with Harang for the sake of doing it. They'd have to be blown away with an offer.

Now you could get Bronson Arroyo. With Milton on the DL and McDonald struggling, he could be a good 5th starter.

Will be interesting once Manny is back. If Milton or someone else isn't pitching up to par, would a Pierre for Arroyo and a prospect work? Money is fairly even and the Reds need a LF/CFer and leadoff hitter bad. Pierre would fill both those needs.

Arroyo out of Cincy should improve as well. His ERA over a run lower on the road than at home.

The Reds should be fine once Votto comes back, if not they will have the next few years to compete with that impressive core of players. Try taking away Braun or Pujols away from their teams for a month and see what happens, I'd say they're doing pretty good considering their injuries.

It's going to take some work for this team to make the postseason, but imagine a rotation of Harang, Volquez, and Cueto in a playoff series with their light's out bullpen.

McDonald, DeWitt, and a young arm like Elbert or Withrow should net the Dodgers Harang.

DeWitt would vastly upgrade the Reds at 3B, with EE moving to LF...

He could also move to 2B with Phillips sliding over to SS in 2010.

McDonald was great in the minors, but he needs to show it at the ML level.

And McDonald, DeWitt, and Elbert/Withrow woudn't be enough for Harang. Not with how DeWitt has played this year or with how McDonald has pitched.

DeWitt has 2 HRs in AAA this year and his OPS is under .800. The Reds would want more for Harang. DeWitt is hitting only .214 in June as well....

Elbert is a nice prospect though, as is McDonald....but still think the Reds could get more for Harang.

Though that's not a bad start. If DeJesus wasn't hurt that could have been an option as they could use a SS.

A #1-2 starting pitcher is more valualbe than Kemp. Not saying Kemp isn't a young stud, but I'd take Harang over him every time right now, especially with how Pierre has played and with manny coming back.

That being said, I don't see LA making that deal either. But that's almost what it would take to get Harang if you're the Dodgers. DeWitt just doesn't seem like enough even with some pitchers thrown in. His stock has really fallen.

"A 1-2 starting pitcher is more valualbe than Kemp. Not saying Kemp isn't a young stud, but I'd take Harang over him every time right now, especially with how Pierre has played and with manny coming back."

I totally agree that a TOR starter is more valuable than a star center fielder. Absolutely no way that they make that deal though.

Harang, at his best, is a 4.5-5.5 WAR player. Kemp is on pace to post a higher WAR than Harang this year, while Harang is making $11M and Kemp is making $465K.

When you factor in salaries, it's not even a discussion to me.

Kemp won't go anywhere unless it's for a comparable young stud, like off the top of my head, say, Ubaldo Jimenez.

FWIW

The Reds should extend Harang, he pitches well in a hostile environment.
The Reds are up and coming and if they fall out of it this year, they will most def be in it next year.

"Ozzie Guillen would endorse an extension for Scott Podsednik, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune."

I don't even understand!

eh, the Reds really don't need to worry about extending Harang now. He's signed for next year with a team option for 2011. The option only becomes an issue if he's traded as it then becomes a mutual option.

The Reds would have a nice rotation for the next 2.5 years though with Harang, Volquez, and Cueto.....but they do need offense. Votto coming back isn't enough. Maybe Encarnacion...but he was struggling before the injury.